eschew
To deliberately avoid or stay away from something
Examples
In a meeting
“Our company eschews aggressive sales tactics in favor of relationship building.”
Over coffee
“I try to eschew junk food during the week.”
Why this word
avoid
avoid means to keep away from, while eschew means to deliberately abstain from or shun as a matter of principle or habit
shun
shun means to avoid deliberately, while eschew implies a more deliberate rejection based on moral or practical grounds
reject
reject means to refuse to accept, while eschew means to habitually or deliberately avoid using or doing something
Usage tip
More deliberate and principled than 'avoid.' Use when the avoidance is based on values or strategy.
Etymology
Old French: eschever (to shun) from Germanic root — 'to shy away from'
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