escape artist

noun

: someone (such as a performer or criminal) unusually adept at escaping from confinement

Example Sentences

Harry Houdini became famous as an escape artist.
Recent Examples on the Web Danny was an escape artist, a regular juvie Houdini. Longreads, 4 Apr. 2022 The judges, while sounding open to the arguments about potential juror prejudice, showed less patience with another claim that Guzman’s defense was unfairly hindered by the strict terms of confinement that were imposed in response to his reputation as an escape artist. Stephanie Pagones, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2021 Parton and Spears aren't the only notable figures to inspire this year's selections: Scripts about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps (Resurfaced), football player and sports commentator John Madden (Madden), and magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (The Boy Houdini) also made the list. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2022 My favorite escape artist! Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2022 The judges, while sounding open to the arguments about potential juror prejudice, showed less patience with another claim that Guzman's defense was unfairly hindered by the strict terms of confinement that were imposed in response to his reputation as an escape artist. NBC News, 26 Oct. 2021 What an escape artist! Aj Willingham, CNN, 14 Sep. 2021 The students applauded, and the classmate proclaimed him New Orleans’ youngest escape artist. The Arizona Republic, 29 Dec. 2022 Houdini, ever the escape artist, allegedly punched his way out of Houdina Co. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escape artist.' 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

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of escape artist was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near escape artist

Cite this Entry

“Escape artist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20artist. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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