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.

avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.