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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
My poems traverse my millennial loner teenage experiences like seeking validation on my blog and escaping through movies and music every night. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 Justin Herbert and company opened at 3-0, then took back-to-back Ls and narrowly escaped the floundering Miami Dolphins. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark A prototype for many parks that have been fashioned after it (most notably Disney’s theme parks), Tivoli Gardens has been an escape for Danes and tourists since its gates first opened in 1843. Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 Travel light when commuting to work, hitting the gym or heading out on a weekend escape, the right small bag can carry all your essentials without slowing you down. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for escape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape
Verb
  • An informal education professional, Eitan spent part of his captivity with Yair, and the brothers reportedly fled through tunnels during Israeli airstrikes.
    Itay Stern, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Madagascar’s president has fled the African nation, the head of the opposition and other officials said on Monday, the second time that young protesters have toppled a government in weeks of worldwide Gen Z unrest.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These treatments aim to create a renewable source of beta cells or to help maintain existing beta cells by shielding them from the immune system or enabling them to evade it.
    Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While stealth jets have various tricks to evade traditional radars with some success, the quantum radars might prove to be a game changer in the long run.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The program will also focus on electronic systems within aircraft such as communication, navigation and other flight instruments.
    Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Lakewood brewery will debut its own signature pickle beer alongside a Pickled Bloody Mary seltzer bar, pickle beer flights, and a pickle beer chugging contest.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The agency has also reported a loss of $4 million through bus fare evasion.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The entrepreneur’s rags-to-riches story took a dark turn in 2004 when he was charged with tax evasion and embezzling company funds.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 2023 Texas Rangers lost here on the final day of the regular season, which forced them to fly across the country and start the playoffs on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Following a medical evaluation, Alaska Airlines said its crew was cleared to fly, and the aircraft continued on after a 90-minute delay.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For those affected, avoiding even trace amounts of eggs is essential, making accurate labeling critical.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Quentin Johnston came up with their first down after the break.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is capable of handling all aspects of flight, from take off to power down, and can carry out obstacle and threat avoidance.
    David Szondy October 19, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Autonomous systems handle the full flight profile, from takeoff to landing, using sensors for obstacle detection and avoidance.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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