avoidance
uh-VOY-duhnss
/əˈvɔɪ.dəns/
The act of staying away from situations, places, or thoughts that cause distress or anxiety.
In clinical terms, avoidance provides short-term relief but maintains long-term anxiety.
The story behind the word. Traced through Anglo-French 'evuidier' (to clear out/empty), combining 'ex-' (out) and 'voide' (empty). Over centuries, its meaning shifted from physically clearing out a space to steering clear of unpleasant things.
Word relationships
- evasion: Evasion implies artful dodging or deceit; avoidance is staying clear of something entirely.
- shunning: Shunning involves deliberate social rejection.
- confrontation: Directly facing or dealing with a difficult situation or thought.
Commonly confused with
- escape: Escape happens after entering a situation; avoidance keeps you from entering it in the first place.
Word family
- avoid (verb): To keep away from or stop oneself from doing something.
- avoidant (adjective): Showing a tendency to avoid difficult or unpleasant situations.
Collocations
- avoidance behavior
- coping by avoidance
- experiential avoidance
- avoidance pattern
Example sentences
- "Persistent avoidance of social situations can exacerbate phobias over time." Behavioral Psychology
Memory hook
AVOIDANCE creates a VOID where engagement should be. Steering clear of distress.
When not to use
Do not confuse with wise, prudent prevention of genuine immediate danger.
Fun facts
- Avoidance is considered the central engine that maintains anxiety disorders according to CBT principles.
Related words
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