escapism

noun

es·​cap·​ism i-ˈskā-ˌpi-zəm 

: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine

The movie is pure escapism.

escapist

i-ˈskā-pist 

adjective or noun

Examples of escapism in a Sentence

Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Everybody has a lot of issues all over the world, and you get sidetracked from that escapism. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Parton’s response, according to Cyrus, was essentially a reminder that music could be a form of escapism. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026

But even at its most explicit, in documentaries, political cinema acts as an antidote to the culture’s wearying vogue for escapism. — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The Imaginarium’s Phil Robertson describes the effect as something closer to augmentation than escapism. — Ben Croll, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for escapism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

escapism

noun

es·​cap·​ism is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm 

: a habit of thinking or a form of entertainment about purely imaginary or amusing things that provides an escape from reality or everyday matters

escapist

-pəst 

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

escapism

noun

es·​cap·​ism is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm 

: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine

escapist

-pəst 

adjective or noun