Avoid
Avoid verb - To get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery.
Usage example: trying to avoid writing thank-you notes for the gifts he didn't like
Ward off is a synonym for avoid in prevent topic. In some cases you can use "Ward off" instead a verb "Avoid". popular alternative
Ward off
Ward off verb - Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
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It's somewhat convenient if you don't want to be hassled by several weak baddies while traveling, but not only does it not ward off the lethally strong enemies you're desperately trying to avoid, but it also seems to piss them off and make them even stronger.
Source: Video Game / Dragon Quest I -
Sweet tastes mean high density calories, salty tends to concentrate around salt and certain necessary minerals, sour concentrates around vitamins necessary to ward off disease (especially Vitamin C), umami is well-cooked proteins, and bitter helps us avoid poisons.
Source: Humans Are Special
Cite this Source
Ward off and Avoid. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/ward_off
Avoid & Ward off. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/ward_off>.
Ward off or Avoid. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/ward_off.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "avoid" and "ward off" have occurred on timeline