Dictionary Definition

eschew v : avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of [syn: shun]

User Contributed Dictionary

Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3d present eschiu) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off.

The word eschew usually refers to ideas or concepts rather than physical objects.

1599 — Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor v 5

What cannot be eschew'd must be embrac'd.
1927 — H.P. Lovecraft, The Horror at Red Hook

He could afford no servants, and would admit but few visitors to his absolute solitude; eschewing close friendships and receiving his rare acquaintances in one of the three ground-floor rooms which he kept in order.

abstain, abstain from, avoid, bilk, do without, double, duck, elude, evade, forbear, forgo, hold aloof from, hold back, keep from, let alone, let go by, never touch, not touch, pass up, refrain, refrain from, sacrifice, shun, shy, spare, stand aloof from, steer clear of, withhold