When communicating, it's common to come across situations where someone is avoiding the issue at hand. Although it can be frustrating, it's important to remain calm and understand what the root issue is. Here are a few synonyms that can help you recognize when someone is avoiding the issue: evading, sidestepping, dodging, skirting, circumventing, eluding, ducking, ignoring, deflecting, and shirking. Identifying when someone is avoiding the issue can help you redirect the conversation back to the main concern and ensure that progress is made towards solving the problem at hand.