evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

ē-

1

: a means of evading : dodge

2

: the act or an instance of evading : escape

suspected of tax evasion

Synonyms

• escape
• avoidance

Examples of evasion in a Sentence

He was arrested for tax evasion.

They came up with an evasion of the law to keep all the land for themselves.

His reply was nothing but careful evasions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Reserve duty is technically mandatory, though penalties for evasion often depend on the willingness of the direct commander to enforce punishment. —Emily Rose, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025

What guardrails will be put in place to limit avoidance and evasion? —Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The film, which Variety previously shared would be directed by Leah Rachel, stars Plaza as Fleiss — who ran an upscale prostitution ring in Los Angeles before being arrested on multiple charges and eventually convicted on federal charges of tax evasion. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025

The National Park Service has already increased removals of homeless encampments, part of a broader federal effort that also includes cracking down on fare evasion and other transit crimes. —Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin evasion-, evasio, from Latin evadere to evade

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for evasion

• abrasion
• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• invasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• asian
• suasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

1

: a means of evading

2

: the act or an instance of evading : escape

tax evasion

Legal Definition

evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

1

: a means of evading

2

: the act or an instance of evading see also tax evasion