eschew
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for eschew, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To deliberately avoid or keep away from something, usually on moral or practical grounds.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use eschew
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
eschew violence
eschew publicity
eschew luxury
largely eschewed
Formal and rather bookish; 'avoid' or 'steer clear of' fit most everyday writing.
Etymology
From Old French eschiver ('to shun, avoid'), of Germanic origin and related to the root behind English 'shy'.
Full origin of eschew →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'eschew' and 'avoid'?
'Avoid' simply says you stayed away from something, for any reason including chance. 'Eschew' implies a considered choice to abstain, usually because you consider the thing unwise, unhealthy or wrong.
How do you pronounce 'eschew'?
The standard pronunciation is es-CHOO, with the 'ch' as in 'church'. The variant es-SHOO is also heard, especially in Britain, and is accepted.
What does 'eschew obfuscation' mean?
It is a self-mocking writing joke: the phrase means 'avoid unclear language' while itself being needlessly obscure. It is used to make the point that plain words beat impressive ones.
