'avoid' definitions:

Definition of 'avoid'

(from WordNet)
verb
Stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her" [ant: confront, face, face up]
verb
Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" [syn: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off]
verb
Refrain from doing something; "She refrains from calling her therapist too often"; "He should avoid publishing his wife's memories"
verb
Refrain from certain foods or beverages; "I keep off drugs"; "During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day" [syn: keep off, avoid]
verb
Declare invalid; "The contract was annulled"; "void a plea" [syn: invalidate, annul, quash, void, avoid, nullify] [ant: formalise, formalize, validate]

Synonyms of 'avoid'

From: Moby Thesaurus