1
as in fleeing
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
everyone managed to escape from the burning building in time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in avoiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 escaping
The scientist told me repeatedly of escaping to the ship’s deck and surrounding himself with the openness of the ocean, the beauty of volcanic islands, the whales, the dolphins, the flying fish, and, above all, the seabirds.
—
Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Mott’s criminal record includes charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and escaping from custody or a detention facility, according to online records.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Most Jews in South Africa came from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia—escaping pogroms and the restrictions on their lives imposed by Czarist Russia, and attracted to South Africa by reports of newfound wealth.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Even some of the world’s largest and most biodiverse rainforests may not be escaping the reach of microplastic pollution.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin was one out away from escaping a first-and-third jam in the first inning Sunday without allowing a run.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Doku emerging as the best differential There is still no escaping the importance of Manchester City and Arsenal assets.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 May 2026
After safely escaping the terrifying Eaton fire together in January 2025, Altadena resident Dominic brought his dog, Blade, into the Pasadena Humane animal shelter for emergency boarding for his pet.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Much of the mantle material that had been thrown out eventually fell back into the basin itself rather than escaping far away.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Mott’s criminal record includes charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and escaping from custody or a detention facility, according to online records.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Most Jews in South Africa came from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia—escaping pogroms and the restrictions on their lives imposed by Czarist Russia, and attracted to South Africa by reports of newfound wealth.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Even some of the world’s largest and most biodiverse rainforests may not be escaping the reach of microplastic pollution.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin was one out away from escaping a first-and-third jam in the first inning Sunday without allowing a run.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Doku emerging as the best differential There is still no escaping the importance of Manchester City and Arsenal assets.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 May 2026
After safely escaping the terrifying Eaton fire together in January 2025, Altadena resident Dominic brought his dog, Blade, into the Pasadena Humane animal shelter for emergency boarding for his pet.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Much of the mantle material that had been thrown out eventually fell back into the basin itself rather than escaping far away.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escaping
Verb
-
In December 2025, a man was shot in the leg during a fight, with the shooter fleeing the scene.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
The organization, known by its French acronym MSF, reported treating over 40 gunshot victims within 12 hours while providing temporary shelter to 800 people fleeing the violence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
That would be a mistake worth avoiding, though.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
The pair got the gold-star treatment from some European designers, with Chanel flying them over to attend the fall show and to dine privately with Karl Lagerfeld.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Jesus Roberto Aguilar of Sacramento, was arrested and booked into jail for multiple evading and resisting charges and on a felony no-bail warrant.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Last week, a 19-year-old riding an e-motorcycle was arrested on suspicion of felony evading police and felony reckless driving.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escaping. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
