avoiding

3 definitions • 8 examples

present participle of

to stay away from someone or something:

I try to avoid supermarkets on Saturdays - they're always so busy.

I'm anxious to avoid the motorway at rush hour.

Do you think Lukas is avoiding me? I haven't seen him all day.

to prevent something from happening or to not allow yourself to do something:

[ + -ing verb ] I try to avoid going shopping on Saturdays.

The report studiously avoided any mention of the controversial plan.

The plane narrowly avoided disaster when one of the engines cut out on take-off.

I left the pub to avoid a fight (= prevent a fight from happening).

Unnecessary paperwork should be avoided (= prevented) at all costs.