Attempt and Prevention: English Vocabulary List

to try to achieve something

"They bid for the contract."

"The wealthy collector decided to bid a huge amount of money for the rare painting at the famous art auction house last weekend."

to repel or avoid an attack or undesirable situation

"He wore a hat to ward off the sun."

"The old superstition says that carrying a rabbit's foot can help to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the person who carries it."

to take action to prevent or resolve a problem before it occurs

"She headed off the argument before it started."

"The police set up a roadblock to head off the fleeing suspects before they could reach the highway and escape to another state."

to evade an obligation, question, or problem by means of excuses or dishonesty

"He circumvented the security system easily."

"The clever lawyer found a legal loophole to circumvent the restrictive law and allow his client to proceed with the business deal without any penalties."

to circumvent or avoid something, especially cleverly or illegally

"Bypass the city center to avoid traffic."

"The truck driver decided to bypass the busy city center by taking a longer rural route that had much less traffic and fewer traffic lights."