General:
* Eschewed
* Prevented
* Shunned
* Circumvented
* Dodged
* Bypassed
* Shied away from
* Kept away from
* Stayed clear of
More specific:
* Deviated from: If you avoided a specific path or plan
* Disregarded: If you ignored something
* Refused: If you actively declined something
* Prevented: If you stopped something from happening
* Evaded: If you cleverly escaped something
* Sidestepped: If you cleverly avoided a direct answer or action
Formal:
* Abstained
* Dispensed with
* Forgone
* Prevented
The best synonym will depend on the specific situation you're describing.