transitive verb
Definition 1
With respect to obligations, particularly fiscal obligations, manage not to incur them.
Source: Invertext
Context: It's okay to avoid tax but illegal to evade it.
Source: freelanceadvisor.co.uk
Definition 2
Shun, refrain from (thing, doing thing), escape, evade (difficulty, prohibition, etc.).
Source: Invertext, from Concise Oxford Dictionary
Context: If we try to avoid unpleasant situations by deceiving ourselves or the electorate, reality will punish us by failing to meet our expectations.
Source: Financial Times 29/10/2009 (George Soros)