eschews
Steers clear of
Eschews is the third-person singular of eschew, meaning to deliberately avoid or abstain from something.
The word carries a sense of principled rejection rather than mere avoidance: She eschews social media entirely, The restaurant eschews artificial ingredients.
It's slightly formal, suggesting conscious choice rather than happenstance.
Deliberately avoids contact
- abstainsDeliberately doesn't partake
- refrainsRecurring verses or abstains
- forgoesDeclines to have
- avoidsDeliberately stays away from
sidesteps · circumvents · keeps away · holds back · withholds · desists · forbears · resists
Refuses or discards
- spurnsRejects with disdain
- declinesRefuses or diminishes
- refusesDeclines to accept
- rebuffsRejects bluntly or dismissively
dismisses · repudiates · turns down · waves off · says no · passes up · snubs · cold-shoulders
Formally rejects or abandons
- abjuresFormally renounces or rejects
- forswearsFormally renounces under oath
- disavowsDenies responsibility or connection
- disclaimsDenies connection or responsibility
repudiates · relinquishes · abandons · forsakes · sacrifices · gives up · walks away from · washes hands of
shuns
Deliberately avoids contact
avoids · sidesteps · circumvents · keeps away · holds back · withholds · desists · forbears · resists · abjures
rejects
Refuses or discards
rebuffs · dismisses · repudiates · turns down · waves off · says no · passes up · snubs · cold-shoulders · disowns
renounces
Formally rejects or abandons
- abjuresFormally renounces or rejects
- forswearsFormally renounces under oath
- disavowsDenies responsibility or connection
disclaims · repudiates · relinquishes · abandons · forsakes · sacrifices · gives up · walks away from · washes hands of
dodges
Evades with quick movement
skirts · bypasses · gets around · escapes · outwits · outmaneuvers · deflects · averts