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
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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
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Recent Examples of escaping
In modern history, Iran actually gave refuge to Jews that were escaping the Nazis during the Second World War, giving them refuge and sanctuary in Iran.
—
Scott Pelley, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
As the material appears to shift from soft to hard, the outward and downward movements of the tubes no longer suggest the gentle pressure of filling and escaping air, but imply a decidedly more violent bending and crushing of metal, as if the tubes had been pushed out of shape against their will.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
The Dortmund defender was somewhat fortunate to be on the field after escaping with a yellow card for a bad challenge on Stanišić just minutes before.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
The Ducks turned in a pair of thrillers, twice escaping from multiple multi-goal holes to topple last year’s Western Conference champs and Presidents’ Trophy winners in consecutive games.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
There the 12-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy held her arms and legs down to prevent her from escaping, according to the report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
About a week after escaping the Northumberland County Jail, a maroon van later connected to Morgan's kidnapping was stolen from behind a residence in Ohio, according to the affidavit.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Froberg, according to authorities, was on the run at the time after escaping from a prison in Alabama and a jail in Pennsylvania.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But the eternally elusive prospect of escaping the city and its grey slush beckons, and there’s no better escape than these sultry, summery Hamptons novels.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Scott Pelley, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
As the material appears to shift from soft to hard, the outward and downward movements of the tubes no longer suggest the gentle pressure of filling and escaping air, but imply a decidedly more violent bending and crushing of metal, as if the tubes had been pushed out of shape against their will.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
The Dortmund defender was somewhat fortunate to be on the field after escaping with a yellow card for a bad challenge on Stanišić just minutes before.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
The Ducks turned in a pair of thrillers, twice escaping from multiple multi-goal holes to topple last year’s Western Conference champs and Presidents’ Trophy winners in consecutive games.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
There the 12-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy held her arms and legs down to prevent her from escaping, according to the report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
About a week after escaping the Northumberland County Jail, a maroon van later connected to Morgan's kidnapping was stolen from behind a residence in Ohio, according to the affidavit.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Froberg, according to authorities, was on the run at the time after escaping from a prison in Alabama and a jail in Pennsylvania.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
But the eternally elusive prospect of escaping the city and its grey slush beckons, and there’s no better escape than these sultry, summery Hamptons novels.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escaping
Verb
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Highways were jammed overnight and into Monday with people fleeing after what was Israel's deadliest barrage on Lebanon in more than a year, striking hours after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border for the first time in more than a year.—
FADI TAWIL,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
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During the chase, a pedestrian ran into the street in an apparent attempt to engage the driver and was struck by the fleeing vehicle, police said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After resolving debt and avoiding Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the always press-averse Ellison departed Hollywood right before the COVID-19 pandemic and largely stayed away for a number of years.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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Miller said avoiding commercial terminals is purposefully built into RetrievAir’s business model.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Keep reading to discover all the best fashion sneaker collaborations to scoop up this spring—they’re already flying.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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According to Diio by Cirium data, the airline is flying more than 1,100 flights at the airport this month.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At an initial court appearance, Vaca pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping a policeman, resisting CHP officers, and evading police.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The remaining charges included unlawful carrying of a weapon, theft, evading arrest, burglary, fraud and unauthorized use of a vehicle.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escaping. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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