vermeiden
Translation
to avoid, to prevent, to shun
Examples
Wir haben einen Streit vermieden.
We avoided an argument.
Er vermied es, sie anzusehen.
He avoided looking at her.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to avoid sth. We must avoid mistakes.
((es zu tun)) to avoid doing sth. He avoided giving an answer.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ausweichen, umgehen; Antonyms: aufsuchen, konfrontieren
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (away, amiss) and 'meiden' (to avoid). It literally means 'to avoid away'.
Memory Tips
The root 'meiden' means 'to avoid' or 'shun'. The 'ver-' prefix intensifies this action, implying a deliberate effort to stay away from something.