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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
Abril also is accused of escaping from custody while receiving medical treatment at Sutter Roseville Medical Center three months after he was arrested following the park standoff. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025 The film centers on Tatum’s depiction of Jeff, who was known for living in a Toys ’R’ Us store after escaping from prison. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
Noun
Reach out to Telluride Central Reservations for help customizing a memorable summer escape. AFAR Media, 26 June 2025 In addition to this, the trailer gives a brief look at the spacecraft of Galactus, with the FF making a quick escape in a ship piloted by Grimm. Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for escape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape
Verb
  • Simmons is then accused of carjacking a vehicle from someone who was at the medical facility and fleeing the scene.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • Rising gang violence then led thousands of ordinary Salvadorans to flee to the United States.
    Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Last year, the Russians began including decoy drones with their Shahed drones to increase the likelihood of evading Ukrainian defenses.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Cochran drove in a manner that indicated to Taylor that the sheriff was trying to evade him, Welch said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, LaGuardia Airport was seeing delays of up to three hours, with the FAA implementing a Traffic Management Program for incoming flights.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • The first flight lifted out of Miami International Airport on Sunday, airport spokesman Greg Chin said Monday.
    David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In the short clip, Julie shared her reaction to learning that President Donald Trump granted her and her husband Todd Chrisley full pardons, relieving them of the serving the remainder of their 2022 sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 24 June 2025
  • The pair was accused of running a scheme that, through fraudulent loans, defrauded the IRS and committed tax evasion.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • There are still questions about the cornerback position and the pass rush, but second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have his unit flying around the field making plays.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Nearly two weeks ago, 62 carbon-spewing private jets reportedly flew world leaders into Kananaskis, Canada, for the G7 summit, raising serious questions about the travel choices of those who are supposed to be tackling climate change and other global crises.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Without an aisle, the box occupants must seat themselves in order from front to back to avoid climbing over one another.
    Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • Giving up athletics had an impact on her body and changes were required to avoid injury.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • But hosting a dinner party for your family-money-wealthy English boyfriend and his colleagues during a heatwave when the fridge breaks, alcohol flows, and an unexpected guest shows up?
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • Quiet and largely seasonably pleasant weather will settle across the Kansas City area on Tuesday, giving the metro a break from the heat and storms of the past few days, according to the National Weather Service.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • But the avoidance of probate is often suggested to minimize cost and time delays.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • This is not just a violation of students’ academic freedom, which includes the avoidance of ideological indoctrination.
    Jay Bergman, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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