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 One of the hosting organizations, Students for Justice for Palestine, had, like several of its chapters across the country, lost its privileges within the university; organizers tried to dodge the university’s policing eye by constantly moving locations in order to evade censure from the school. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025 To evade elimination on Friday night, the Celtics needed to summon that same resilience. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025 The New York Times: The Justice Department indicted a Wisconsin judge Tuesday on charges of helping an immigrant evade arrest by federal agents waiting outside her courtroom. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 May 2025 Engineered to evade interception by U.S. defenses such as THAAD, the missile presents a direct challenge to Western military dominance and poses a potential threat to regional allies like Israel. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for evade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evade
Verb
  • Hoerner avoided the tag, which would’ve been the second out of the inning.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • The collection avoids rigid standards by mixing tailored silhouettes with combat trousers and chunky sneakers.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The focus shifts to Santino and Rosa, who quickly find that the initial euphoria of escaping routines doesn’t protect against relationship struggles.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
  • The tumult did not escape the notice of opportunists elsewhere.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on evade

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