escape hatch

noun

Synonyms of escape hatchnext
1
: a hatch providing an emergency exit from an enclosed space
2
: a means of evading a difficulty, dilemma, or responsibility

Examples of escape hatch in a Sentence

the escape hatch of a submarine
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The escape hatch works because comparison requires holding self and other apart. Tim Requarth, Longreads, 9 Apr. 2026 Roberts had right-hander Blake Treinen ready to take on Blue Jays slugger George Springer, an escape hatch should things go awry. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 This time, there is no Chicago looking for an escape hatch, or no Atlanta being unable to sustain. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 Senate Republicans nonetheless see reconciliation as an escape hatch to Trump’s fuming over the filibuster, which is allowing Democrats to block the SAVE America Act and funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for escape hatch

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of escape hatch was in 1925

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Cite this Entry

“Escape hatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20hatch. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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