eschew

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb eschew contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of eschew are avoid, elude, escape, evade, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

Where would avoid be a reasonable alternative to eschew?

The meanings of avoid and eschew largely overlap; however, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When is elude a more appropriate choice than eschew?

The words elude and eschew 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 could escape be used to replace eschew?

While the synonyms escape and eschew are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use evade instead of eschew?

The words evade and eschew can be used in similar contexts, but 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 eschew?

Although the words shun and eschew have much in common, 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 eschew The channel decided to eschew analysis and expert punditry during the many breaks in play for the 6pm game in favour of in-studio games featuring two teams of friends and family competing for prizes. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025 Nestled in a strip mall by a nail salon and a Whole Foods, this specific Club Pilates studio eschewed the spa vibes in favor of a traditional fitness room. Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025 Regarding the former, governments ought to eschew calling for Palestinian self-determination. Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025 Farkas noted that Putin has eschewed major international events, such as the July BRICS bloc of developing nations summit in Brazil, fearing arrest due to the outstanding warrant. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eschew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eschew
Verb
  • However, by sharing so much of Lisa's code, the interface practically demanded a pointing device, and the mouse was selected, even though Raskin had so carefully tried to avoid it.
    Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • These writers will work under the latest Public Television Freelance Agreement, which the WGA East ratified in December after a lengthy and sometimes contentious negotiation cycle with PBS, narrowly avoiding a strike.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The discovery adds a new dimension to understanding cancer and therapy resistance, where cells often evade treatment by shifting states.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But Moscow has found ways to evade these.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Most want to see better protections and less exploitation of fighters so that they are exposed to the least amount of danger in a sport that cannot escape it.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eschew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eschew. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eschew

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