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 Giants coach Brian Daboll also eschewed a 40-yard field goal on fourth-and-4 with just over two minutes remaining in a tie game. Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025 Sonora eschewed the run, which had yielded little to that point. Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025 Rather, this is merely one more reflection of how Iger has long sought to position Disney as a family-friendly, classic Americana brand with appeal across all sides while eschewing blatantly divisive programming. Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025 As Okada — onboard as lead actor, producer and action choreographer — and director Michihito Fujii explained, the plan here has been to eschew leaning heavily on CGI in order to capture the spirit of history’s martial arts masters — and to not allow technology to distract from the drama. Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eschew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eschew
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Engelbert said Friday that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association continue to meet and negotiate with the hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Slimy Lunch Meats Lunch meats are one of those things that often evade clean-outs.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But when the Coast Guard approached on a 45-foot response boat, authorities said, the cuddy cabin boat began racing south to evade arrest.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • On autopilot The NGC Cinema-Grand Blanc Trillium, about three-quarters of a mile away on Holly Road, became a triage and reunification site for church members who escaped the attack.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eschew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eschew. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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