Ignore vs. Avoid: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Ignore" means to deliberately overlook or disregard, while "Avoid" means to intentionally steer clear of or prevent.
Key Differences
"Ignore" and "Avoid" are both verbs that indicate a conscious decision to not engage with something or someone. "Ignore" specifically means to intentionally not notice, acknowledge, or pay attention to something, often because of indifference or distraction.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
"Avoid," on the other hand, has a more proactive connotation. It implies that there's a conscious effort to stay away from something, typically because of perceived harm, discomfort, or undesirability. While "Ignore" suggests a passive omission, "Avoid" suggests active evasion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Consider the context of interpersonal relationships. To "Ignore" someone might mean not responding to their messages or pretending not to hear them in conversation. Conversely, to "Avoid" someone would involve actions like changing one's route to not cross paths with them or declining invitations where they might be present.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
In practical scenarios, one might "Ignore" a minor error in a report by choosing not to address it, believing it's inconsequential. On the other hand, one might "Avoid" a particular route home because it's known for heavy traffic.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
In essence, while both "Ignore" and "Avoid" involve a form of non-engagement, "Ignore" leans towards neglect or disregard, while "Avoid" indicates deliberate evasion or prevention.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Context
Often used in scenarios of inattention
Used when proactively preventing or evading
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Example in Action
Not responding to a message
Declining an invitation to a gathering
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
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Ignore and Avoid Definitions
Ignore
Disregard deliberately
She Ignored the ringing phone, focusing on her work.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Ignore
Refrain from noticing or recognizing
I chose to Ignore the offensive comment.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Ignore
Overlook or neglect
They decided to Ignore the minor discrepancies in the report.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
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Avoid
To take measures so as not to meet or see (someone)
"He never let go of the idea that she lived out there in order to avoid him" (Elizabeth Benedict).
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ignore
To deliberately not listen or pay attention to.
A problem ignored is a problem doubled.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To prevent from happening
You can avoid illness with exercise and a balanced diet.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To refrain from using, engaging in, or partaking of
Avoid red meat.
Avoid risky behavior.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To refrain from (doing something)
It was all we could do to avoid laughing at the remark.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ignore
To be ignorant of or not acquainted with.
Philosophy would solidly be established, if men would more carefully distinguish those things that they know from those that they ignore.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ignore
To throw out or reject as false or ungrounded; - said of a bill rejected by a grand jury for lack of evidence. See Ignoramus.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
(transitive) To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ignore
Hence: To refuse to take notice of; to shut the eyes to; not to recognize; to disregard willfully and causelessly; as, to ignore certain facts; to ignore the presence of an objectionable person.
Ignoring Italy under our feet,And seeing things before, behind.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
(transitive) To stay out of the way of (something harmful).
I avoided the slap easily.
One town was flooded from the storm, while the other town avoided the storm.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from
I try to avoid the company of gamblers.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ignore
Treat as unworthy of attention
He Ignored the critics and continued with his artistic vision.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Avoid
To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from.
Six of us only stayed, and the rest avoidedthe room.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To make void; to annul or vacate; to refute.
How can these grants of the king's be avoided?
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to meet; to shun; to abstain from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters.
What need a man forestall his date of grief.And run to meet what he would most avoid ?
He carefully avoided every act which could goad them into open hostility.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
To defeat or evade; to invalidate. Thus, in a replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea, or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter.
No man can pray from his heart to be kept from temptation, if the take no care of himself to avoid it.
So Chanticleer, who never saw a fox,Yet shunned him as a sailor shuns the rocks.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
Stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something;
Her former friends now avoid her
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening;
Let's avoid a confrontation
Head off a confrontation
Avert a strike
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Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
Refrain from doing something;
She refrains from calling her therapist too often
He should avoid publishing his wife's memoires
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Avoid
Refrain from certain foods or beverages;
I keep off drugs
During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
FAQs
Does Avoiding always involve a deliberate action?
Yes, to Avoid implies a conscious effort to steer clear of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Ignore a problem but not Avoid it?
Yes, you can Ignore a problem by not addressing it but still face its consequences without Avoiding it.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Can a business Avoid a risk but not Ignore it?
Yes, businesses can take steps to Avoid risks but still be aware and not Ignore them.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is Ignoring always a passive action?
Generally, yes; to Ignore is to passively overlook or not acknowledge.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Ignore and Avoid someone at the same time?
Yes, you can Avoid meeting someone and also Ignore their attempts to contact you.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is it always negative to Ignore or Avoid?
No, sometimes it's beneficial to Avoid potential harm or Ignore distractions.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Is Ignoring always intentional?
Often, but not always. One might unintentionally Ignore something out of distraction.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Avoid a responsibility but not Ignore it?
Yes, one might Avoid taking action on a responsibility but still be aware of it without Ignoring it.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Can an issue be Ignored indefinitely?
It's possible, but often unaddressed issues might grow or lead to consequences that cannot be Avoided.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Avoid a question but not Ignore it?
Yes, you can Avoid answering directly but still acknowledge or be aware of the question without Ignoring it.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can a business Ignore a trend but not Avoid it?
Yes, a business can Ignore or not actively engage with a trend, but its impacts might still affect the business if not Avoided.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Is it harmful to Always Avoid confrontations?
Continually Avoiding can prevent resolution, but sometimes it's wise to Avoid certain confrontations for safety or peace.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is it always rude to Ignore?
Often it can be perceived as rude, but context matters; sometimes, Ignoring might be unintentional or necessary.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Why might someone Avoid a topic in conversation?
They might find it uncomfortable, triggering, or inappropriate, hence they Avoid it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Ignore advice but not Avoid it?
Yes, you can hear and Ignore advice without taking it, even if you don't Avoid the person giving it.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Is it better to Ignore negativity or Avoid it?
It depends; sometimes it's best to Ignore negativity, and at other times, it's healthier to Avoid sources of negativity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can one Ignore an obligation but not Avoid its consequences?
Absolutely, one can Ignore an obligation, but the consequences might still arise if not Avoided.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Ignore a danger but not Avoid it?
Yes, you might Ignore a danger by not acknowledging it but still face it if not Avoided.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is Ignoring the same as forgetting?
No, Ignoring is a conscious act of overlooking, while forgetting is unintentional.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
