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
Examples of escapism in a Sentence
Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Radu’s road-movie premise recalls Jean-Luc Godard’s apocalyptic Weekend (1968), once considered Godard’s greatest film, before dystopian movies became comic-book escapism.
—
Armond White, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024
Located among 85 acres of surrounding jungle, Garza Blanca has distinct escapism vibes.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024
Organizers envision their events as spaces for escapism and community.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
In scenes that find the Höss family in repose on the banks of the Sola, sound creates a canopy of futile escapism — the woodpeckers echoing the machine guns, the turtledoves grieving in the trees, the unceasing wails of Hedwig’s baby Annagret.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
All of them hark back to a rowdy, rough-and-tumble time when movies were content to be vessels of visceral wish fulfillment and mindless, instantly disposable escapism.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Though the approach of spring and summer tend to inspire chops, the better to weather the temperature, consider the visual impact of hair left loose and wild—a sense of free-spirited escapism plays well with sunny days and long, balmy nights.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024
Speaking to a specific, rural, and Southern slice of Black American culture, the juke joint offers a world of escapism in a dark room.
—Korsha Wilson, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024
The mix of escapism, historicism, and overt femininity combined with nostalgia have made the coquette aesthetic one of the most viral trends of this 2024.
—Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2024
Armond White, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024
Located among 85 acres of surrounding jungle, Garza Blanca has distinct escapism vibes.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024
Organizers envision their events as spaces for escapism and community.
—Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
In scenes that find the Höss family in repose on the banks of the Sola, sound creates a canopy of futile escapism — the woodpeckers echoing the machine guns, the turtledoves grieving in the trees, the unceasing wails of Hedwig’s baby Annagret.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
All of them hark back to a rowdy, rough-and-tumble time when movies were content to be vessels of visceral wish fulfillment and mindless, instantly disposable escapism.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Though the approach of spring and summer tend to inspire chops, the better to weather the temperature, consider the visual impact of hair left loose and wild—a sense of free-spirited escapism plays well with sunny days and long, balmy nights.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024
Speaking to a specific, rural, and Southern slice of Black American culture, the juke joint offers a world of escapism in a dark room.
—Korsha Wilson, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024
The mix of escapism, historicism, and overt femininity combined with nostalgia have made the coquette aesthetic one of the most viral trends of this 2024.
—Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escapism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1933, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near escapism
Cite this Entry
“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escapism. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on escapism
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for escapism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share