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Avoiding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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avoiding

[əˈvɔɪdɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

behavior

Refusing to do something, or trying to prevent something from happening.

Synonyms

dodge, evade, shun.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
avoiding

Use when you are keeping away from something or someone, often to prevent a problem or a confrontation.

  • She is avoiding him because they had a big argument.
  • Avoiding junk food is crucial for a healthy diet.
evade

Best used when someone is trying to escape or avoid something, often with a sense of deceit or trickery. It has a slightly more formal and negative connotation.

  • He tried to evade paying taxes by hiding his income.
  • The suspect managed to evade the police for weeks.
shun

Applicable when someone deliberately avoids or rejects someone or something, often because of social ostracism or moral objection.

  • After the scandal, he was shunned by his colleagues.
  • She shuns publicity and prefers to live a quiet life.

Examples of usage

  • She is avoiding him because she doesn't want to talk about it.
  • He is avoiding the issue by changing the subject.
Context #2 | Verb

collision

Moving out of the way to prevent hitting something or someone.

Synonyms

skirt, swerve, veer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
swerve

Used when you suddenly change direction to avoid something, usually in a vehicle.

  • She had to swerve to avoid hitting the dog
  • The car swerved off the road
veer

Use when there is a gradual or sudden change in direction, often unintentionally.

  • The conversation veered towards a sensitive subject
  • The plane veered off course
skirt

Use when you go around the edge of something, often to avoid it.

  • He skirted the issue by changing the topic
  • The path skirts around the lake

Examples of usage

  • The driver avoided the pedestrian by swerving at the last moment.
  • He avoided a head-on collision by braking in time.
Context #3 | Verb

responsibility

Escaping or shirking responsibility or a duty.

Synonyms

dodge, evade, shirk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shirk

When someone avoids a responsibility or duty intentionally and frequently, usually in a disapproving tone.

  • He always shirks his duties at work
  • She accused him of shirking his parental responsibilities
dodge

When you want to quickly move to avoid being hit by something or to avoid something in a clever or tricky way.

  • He managed to dodge the ball just in time
  • She dodged the question during the interview
evade

When you want to escape or get away from something in a clever or deceitful way, often used in legal or negative contexts.

  • He was caught trying to evade taxes
  • They managed to evade the police for weeks

Examples of usage

  • She avoids doing her homework by watching TV instead.
  • He avoids helping with the chores by pretending to be busy.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often avoid things they find stressful or scary, which helps them cope with fear.
  • Avoidance can be a natural response to danger, a way to protect ourselves from harm.
  • In psychology, excessive avoidance can lead to anxiety disorders, where a person avoids certain situations that trigger fear.

Behavioral Science

  • Avoidance behavior can be learned through experiences, such as avoiding hot surfaces after getting burned.
  • Some individuals develop avoidance strategies to handle social situations or confrontations, often needing to learn healthier coping mechanisms.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, avoiding direct confrontation is seen as a sign of respect and politeness.
  • Proverbs in various cultures highlight the wisdom of avoiding troubles, emphasizing the importance of making wise choices to prevent conflict.

Education

  • Students may avoid difficult subjects due to fear of failure, highlighting the need for supportive learning environments.
  • In classroom settings, teachers often encourage discussions to confront avoidance and tackle difficult topics together.

Literature

  • Characters in literature may avoid certain choices, leading to significant plot developments and exploring themes of fate and free will.
  • Many authors portray avoidance as a key aspect of character development, revealing deeper motivations and fears.

Origin of 'avoiding'

The word 'avoiding' originated from the Old French word 'esvuider' meaning 'empty, void, or waste'. Over time, the meaning evolved to 'keep away from' or 'prevent from happening'. The word has been in use in the English language since the 14th century.

See also: avoidable, avoidance, avoidant, avoider, unavoidability, unavoidable, unavoidably.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,596 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.