avoid

verb

1. stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something"Her former friends now avoid her"
2. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off"Let's avoid a confrontation"
3. refrain from doing something"He should avoid publishing his wife's memories"
4. refrain from certain foods or beverages"I keep off drugs"
5. declare invalid"The contract was annulled"