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

Examples 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 After evading capture, Yalike-Ngonzo escaped to Europe with assistance from the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 The fact that a byproduct with unknown risks could be so ubiquitous and evade researchers for so long renews questions about potential health effects of the chemicals used to treat tap water. Evan Bush, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2024 However, the owners of scam compounds have been quick to adopt new technologies into their operations, partly to make their scamming more efficient, but likely also to evade law enforcement and technology clampdowns. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 The actors worked with stunt coordinator Cal Johnson to make the sequence look believable, since Luke had to be able to evade the Man’s ax, and both men had to fall into the pool. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for evade 

Thesaurus Entries Near evade

Cite this Entry

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on evade

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