eschew

verb

es·​chew e-ˈshü How to pronounce eschew (audio)
i-;
es-ˈchü How to pronounce eschew (audio)
is-;
 also  e-ˈskyü
eschewed; eschewing; eschews

transitive verb

: to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds : shun
eschewal
e-ˈshü-əl How to pronounce eschew (audio)
i-;
es-ˈchü-
is-;
 also  e-ˈskyü-
noun

Did you know?

Eschew derives from the Anglo-French verb eschiver and is akin to the Old High German verb sciuhen ("to frighten off"), an ancestor of our word shy. In his famous dictionary of 1755 Dr. Samuel Johnson characterized "eschew" as "almost obsolete." History has proven that the great lexicographer was wrong on that call, however. William Thackeray found "eschew" alive enough to use it almost one hundred years later in his classic novel Vanity Fair: "He has already eschewed green coats, red neckcloths, and other worldly ornaments." The word swelled in usage in English during the 19th and 20th centuries and is now common enough to be included even in small paperback dictionaries.

Choose the Right Synonym for eschew

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something.

escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

Examples of eschew in a Sentence

Though a doctor with psychiatric training, he eschewed the science that had so enamored earlier child-rearing professionals … Sue Halpern, New York Review of Books, 29 May 2003
A fair number of academics eschew the simple title "professor" and call themselves economists, astronomers, historians, philosophers. Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999
When introduced to a stranger, he eschewed formalities, stuck out a gnarled right hand and responded with a chummy, "Hermann." Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 2 Feb. 1998
They now eschew the violence of their past. a psychologist who eschews the traditional methods of psychotherapy
Recent Examples on the Web After a breakthrough decade in the 1970s where heavy metal captured a different subset of disillusioned listeners than the hippie movement before them, eschewing peace and love for something heavier and darker, many of the heavy metal bands who would endure as greats took stock of their sound. Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 The designers eschewed the terra-cotta touches that are common in Provençal interiors, opting instead for soft-hued natural materials such as cork floors and burl wood furnishings. John Wogan Juliet Izon Gisela Williams Lindsey Tramuta Julia Halperin Jameson Montgomery, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Even royals have eschewed traditional white for the color—in 1935, Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott wore a pale pink Norman Hartnell gown to her wedding, at which the future Queen Elizabeth II was a bridesmaid. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024 This transformation is especially evident in the tech industry, where companies are eschewing conventional memos and meetings for more engaging, modern solutions. Kathleen Lucente, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 His brother, Jered Weaver, famously eschewed Boras’ advice and accepted a lowball five-year, $85-million contract extension with the Angels in August 2011 rather than become a free agent at the end of the season. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 In fact, of the 10 autos, just under half eschewed ICE for all-electric or hybrid power sources, and one of them even had the temerity to come second in the competition. Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2024 Enninful also eschewed the industry’s ageist norms with a 2019 issue dedicated to women over 50 years old (starring Fonda on the cover). Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024 Then costly mistakes including twice failing to convert 4th downs, eschewing short field goals and costing Lions six points in 34-31 loss. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eschew.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3rd present eschiu) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off — more at shy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eschew was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near eschew

Cite this Entry

“Eschew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eschew. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eschew

verb
es·​chew is-ˈchü How to pronounce eschew (audio)
: shun, avoid

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