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escape

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb escape contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of escape are avoid, elude, eschew, evade, and shun. While all these words 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

When could avoid be used to replace escape?

The words avoid and escape can be used in similar contexts, but avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When is it sensible to use elude instead of escape?

The words elude and escape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When is eschew a more appropriate choice than escape?

While in some cases nearly identical to escape, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can evade be used instead of escape?

In some situations, the words evade and escape are roughly equivalent. However, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When would shun be a good substitute for escape?

The meanings of shun and escape largely overlap; however, shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of escape
Verb
Set in a Korean high school under assault from a zombie invasion, the students must escape while many of them are killed or turn. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Amid a sweltering September evening, where Anthony Richardson and friends barely escaped with a 31-28 win. Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
In 2020, this dreamy escape debuted as a vacation rental—the result of a collaboration with Boutique, a travel company that offers a collection of vacation homes for design enthusiasts. John Wogan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025 Enthralling both fellow captives and the Bey of Algiers, Cervantes, his spirit unbroken, also imagines a daring escape plan. John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for escape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape
Verb
  • Police reported the suspect got into an awaiting black SUV driven by a second suspect, and the pair fled the scene.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Routh allegedly fled after the agent fired at him, and was later arrested after being stopped on a nearby interstate.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The discovery adds a new dimension to understanding cancer and therapy resistance, where cells often evade treatment by shifting states.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But Moscow has found ways to evade these.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When users search for flights on Google Flights, the search engine will say if the fares or lower, higher or average for that route.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The lopsided nature was underlined last season, with only two top-flight clubs using the right side less than Villa when attacking.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What’s frustrating is that while Tom and Robbie’s dance of evasion and investigation gets more predictable, the series’ performances get richer, so Task teeter-totters on an imbalance of story and ensemble.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The attorney announced earlier this year that the department had expanded the incentives for whistleblowers who reported a slew of crimes, including customs fraud and tariff evasion.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While some travelers choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day for lower prices and crowds, most leave at least a day early to avoid the risk of cancellations or delays upending their holiday plans.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Overnight, crews will build hose lays along fire breaks and reinforce lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Tigers have been plagued by poor starting pitching, a thin bullpen and an offense that hasn’t played with the same spark since the All-Star break.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some of us may instead fall into avoidance.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Eufy notes that its obstacle avoidance is uniquely good enough to recognize and avoid tassels on rugs.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on escape

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