avoidment
|a-void-ment|
/əˈvɔɪdmənt/
keeping away; shunning
Etymology
'avoidment' is formed from the verb 'avoid' + the nominal suffix '-ment'. 'Avoid' originates from Anglo-French/Old French 'avoider' (also attested as 'esvuidier'), ultimately from Vulgar Latin/Latin roots meaning 'to turn away' or 'to empty out'.
'avoid' passed into Middle English via Anglo-Norman/Middle French as 'avoiden' or 'avoider' and later developed the noun-forming suffix '-ment' to create 'avoidment' in modern English.
Initially associated with turning aside or emptying away (a physical sense of moving away), it evolved into the broader modern sense of 'keeping away from, shunning, or refraining from'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or practice of keeping away from or not doing something; the action of avoiding.
His avoidment of difficult conversations strained their relationship.
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Noun 2
a psychological tendency or pattern to withdraw from stressful or threatening situations (often used in clinical or behavioral contexts).
The therapist noted the patient's avoidment in social settings as a sign of social anxiety.
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Last updated: 2025/12/03 08:02