Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evade contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evade are avoid, elude, escape, eschew, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When would avoid be a good substitute for evade?

While the synonyms avoid and evade are close in meaning, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When is it sensible to use elude instead of evade?

In some situations, the words elude and evade are roughly equivalent. However, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

In what contexts can escape take the place of evade?

The meanings of escape and evade largely overlap; however, 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 could eschew be used to replace evade?

While in some cases nearly identical to evade, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can shun be used instead of evade?

The words shun and evade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 evade But quarterback Justin Herbert evaded the rush, particularly because Chris Jones took an inside route, and scrambled outside for 19 yards to essentially end it — embodying a game in which the Chiefs were chasing the Chargers from the get-go. Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 Johnson answered right back when senior Justice Moody caught a short pass on the second play of his team’s first possession and evaded a host of tacklers en route to the end zone on a 51-yard touchdown pass. Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025 But Hampton is a big, fast back with (as Bobby Ross would say) some evade to him. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 Landry is also charged with evading an officer. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evade
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
  • 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

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on evade

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