Synonyms of escape

escape 1 of 2

verb

i-ˈskāp 

1

as in to flee

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation

everyone managed to escape from the burning building in time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flee
• fly
• leave
• avoid
• move
• get out
• evade
• abscond
• break free
• exit
• run away
• run off
• clear out
• go
• lose
• break out (of)
• elude
• depart
• lam
• rescue
• shun
• quit
• liberate
• pull out
• walk out
• extricate
• elope
• release
• take off
• emancipate
• shove (off)
• free
• sally (forth)
• disentangle
• redeem
• loose
• spring
• loosen
• decamp
• unbind
• bring off
• enfranchise
• unfetter
• uncage
• manumit
• unchain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stay
• dwell
• linger
• abide
• return
• hang around
• come back
• stick around
• tarry

2

as in to evade

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery

a judge who is very determined not to let criminals escape punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evade
• avoid
• elude
• prevent
• shun
• eschew
• scape
• shake
• dodge
• deflect
• eliminate
• steer clear of
• shuffle (out of)
• keep clear of
• fight shy of
• duck
• shirk
• get around
• stay clear of
• finesse
• circumvent
• weasel (out of)
• thwart
• avert
• preclude
• obviate
• exclude
• miss
• ward (off)
• divert
• rule out
• parry
• outwit
• bypass
• ban
• debar
• except
• foil
• outsmart
• frustrate
• bar
• fox
• outfox
• overreach
• skirt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• seek
• accept
• pursue
• embrace
• welcome
• catch
• incur
• court
• contract

escape

2 of 2

noun

1

as in flight

the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement

a daring prison escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flight
• break
• rescue
• rout
• liberation
• getaway
• slip
• lam
• breakout
• bunk
• release
• salvation
• redemption
• deliverance
• jailbreak
• close call
• close shave
• near miss

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confinement
• imprisonment
• captivity
• incarceration
• custody
• holding
• detention
• retention
• hold
• risk
• trouble
• immurement
• internment
• hazard
• peril
• jeopardy
• imperilment
• endangerment

2

as in evasion

the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable

the reading of science fiction novels as an escape from boring reality

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evasion
• avoidance
• out
• elusion
• dodging
• shunning
• ducking
• cop-out
• eschewal
• eluding
• deflection
• shaking
• eschewing
• bypassing
• prevention
• circumvention
• skirting
• sidestepping
• runaround
• obviation
• averting
• precluding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submission
• endurance
• toleration
• abidance

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

Recent Examples of escape

Verb

The suspect drove through red lights at intersections, cut off other drivers and nearly hit pedestrians while trying to escape deputies. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The Hawks escaped with a 108-104 win over the Pacers on Monday at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Noun

The Ritz-Carlton also boasts the island’s only hammam, as well as a spacious relaxation deck to amplify the sense of elemental escape, with waves lapping away just beneath your feet. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026

And their escape routes are narrowing; since Kim sealed off the borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of North Korean defectors reaching South Korea has plummeted. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing escape

• hairbreadth escape
• narrow escape
• near escape