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
While people have often sought comfort in fantasy and escapism—as the popularity of romance novels and daytime soap operas attest—psychologists say that the way in which some people are using chatbots, and the blurring of the line between fantasy and real life, is unprecedented.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
Starring The Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham, this 2018 romance film about a young woman who receives a magical advent calendar provides the perfect dose of escapism.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Librarians debated about whether patients should avoid reading books about their conditions, and whether or not reading should offer escapism or a chance to reflect on one’s problems.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Brooks’s years honing his craft writing prickly characters and witty repartee ensures that not all of this scans as mindless escapism.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escapism
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
Starring The Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham, this 2018 romance film about a young woman who receives a magical advent calendar provides the perfect dose of escapism.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Librarians debated about whether patients should avoid reading books about their conditions, and whether or not reading should offer escapism or a chance to reflect on one’s problems.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Brooks’s years honing his craft writing prickly characters and witty repartee ensures that not all of this scans as mindless escapism.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escapism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escapism
Noun
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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The character came to life after the writers' strike temporarily shut down much of the entertainment industry.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even as his Reddit-haunting admirers still parse his lyrics for hidden meanings, his spirit surely looks down on them with wry amusement at his fans’ unending search for profundity.—
Alexander Larman,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
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Unidentified plainclothes dudes then dragged her out of the high school auditorium while other Idahoans watched — some in amusement, others not so much.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lot of the property covers a substantial area of 6,000 square feet, complete with a pool for outdoor enjoyment.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
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For users who want keyboards that support focus, comfort, and enjoyment, the brand has established itself as a keyboard designer worth paying attention to.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
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According to Amex, what unites these destinations is a desire for meaningful travel—whether through first-time adventures, cultural immersion, or settings that balance relaxation with a strong sense of place.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escapism. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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