Avoidance (7)
I believe the answer is:
evasion
'avoidance' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for evasion that I've seen before include "Avoidance of giving a direct answer" , "Cunning" , "Fencing" , "Circumvention" , "Subterfuge" .)