Dictionary

eschew

verb es·chew \e-ˈshü, i-; es-ˈchü, is-; also e-ˈskyü\

: to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right, proper, etc.

Full Definition of ESCHEW

transitive verb
:  to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds :  shun
es·chew·al \-əl\ noun
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Examples of ESCHEW

  1. Though a doctor with psychiatric training, he eschewed the science that had so enamored earlier child-rearing professionals … —Sue Halpern, New York Review of Books, 29 May 2003

Origin of ESCHEW

Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3d present eschiu) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off — more at shy
First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of ESCHEW

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent <nothing escapes her sharp eyes>. avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty <try to avoid past errors>. evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding <evaded the question by changing the subject>. elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes <what she sees in him eludes me>. shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence <you have shunned your responsibilities>. eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful <a playwright who eschews melodrama>.

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