as in entertainment
an activity that allows people to forget about the real problems of life
The movie is pure escapism. Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.
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Recent Examples of escapism
Across its many subgenres, reality television is a format that contains multitudes, including competition, luxury, romance, aspirational support or instruction, scopophilia, pure escapism, and, at its most shameless (and sometimes, yes, gratifying), a heaping portion of schadenfreude.
—
Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Their transformation could potentially unfold through disillusionment, learning how to separate fantasy from reality after periods of escapism, emotional overwhelm and losing themselves in people, dreams or the impossible.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
Oh, and escapism, in the form of a human-like octopus who helps lost souls find each other.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 1 May 2026
Tucked between multiple waterways surrounding Christiansted, the island’s capital city, Undercover Books makes a concerted effort to offer its visitors more than escapism.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escapism
Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Their transformation could potentially unfold through disillusionment, learning how to separate fantasy from reality after periods of escapism, emotional overwhelm and losing themselves in people, dreams or the impossible.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
Oh, and escapism, in the form of a human-like octopus who helps lost souls find each other.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 1 May 2026
Tucked between multiple waterways surrounding Christiansted, the island’s capital city, Undercover Books makes a concerted effort to offer its visitors more than escapism.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escapism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escapism
Noun
-
The spa Indoor and outdoor pools here provide extra options for entertainment, and the patio’s sunbeds see a lot of attention, especially on weekends when rates often drop here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
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Throughout her career, the actor has deliberately chosen powerful, complex roles and founded the Geena Davis Institute to combat unconscious bias and increase representation in entertainment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The animal’s body was no longer treated as a source of sustenance or knowledge, but rather as a prop for amusement.—
Sam Zeveloff,
STAT,
9 May 2026
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While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The situation is tricky enough in the case of innovations that users voluntarily adopt—plenty of people do not let their dim view of Meta overly interfere with their enjoyment of Instagram.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 5th House, opposing Jupiter in your 11th, highlighting personal enjoyment versus group obligations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Hot and cold immersion has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, muscle relaxation and better sleep — outcomes a 60-minute massage cannot match.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escapism. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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