1. to avoid, to bypass, to evade, to circumvent, to dodge, to shun, to eschew (to steer clear of)

2. to avoid, to prevent, to keep from, to stop from, to avert, to obviate, to deter

3. to help (abstain from doing) (always in the negative)

4. to spare, to save (to relieve someone having to experience something)

5. to guard against, to ward off

6. to spare oneself (reflexive)