Word
unavoidable
Phoneticsun·avoid·able
US/ˌənəˈvɔɪdəbəɫ/
UK/ʌnɐvˈɔɪdəbəl/
Definitions
01impossible to prevent
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes something that you cannot prevent from happening.
adj. impossible to avoid or prevent; certain to occur regardless of intervention.
“With so much traffic on the road, a long delay was unavoidable.”
“The company spokesperson admitted that job losses were unavoidable following the sharp decline in global demand for their products.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02legally binding
C1 · Advanced Law Technical · Formal
adj. describes a legal agreement or rule that cannot be cancelled or made invalid.
adj. incapable of being made null or void; legally binding and not subject to cancellation.
“The contract was unavoidable, meaning neither side could simply walk away.”
“Legal counsel argued that the clause was unavoidable under current statutes, effectively preventing the plaintiff from nullifying the agreement.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03an inevitable event
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary · Formal
n. a situation or event that is certain to happen and cannot be stopped.
n. an event, circumstance, or outcome that is impossible to evade.
“Death and taxes are often called the two great unavoidables of life.”
“The philosopher spent his final years contemplating the unavoidables of human existence, focusing particularly on the passage of time.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“If relocation becomes unavoidable, she says she wants to remain close to the forest.” “The statement said: "Due to unavoidable changes in the entertainment program for LIV Golf Indianapolis, the league informed Thomas Rhett and Disco Lines that their live musical performances will no longer take place.” Etymology
From Middle English unavoidable, equivalent to un- + avoidable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unavoidable