as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
the prisoners were recaptured after only three days on the lam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
let's lam out of this hellhole while there's still time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 lam
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Consider, when admiring the timepiece pictured above, that the debut model of this collectors’ darling was introduced to the world the same year that Friends aired for the first time, Oasis dropped Definitely Maybe, and O.J. Simpson went on the lam in the back of a white Ford Bronco.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Andrew Lawrence, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024
One of those classic films that’s as good as its reputation (and maybe even better), Billy Wilder’s high-spirited comedy stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as jazz musicians who have to lam it after witnessing a mob crime.
—Keith Phipps, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for lam
Noun
Paul Brightman lives on the lam while evading Russian operatives.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Consider, when admiring the timepiece pictured above, that the debut model of this collectors’ darling was introduced to the world the same year that Friends aired for the first time, Oasis dropped Definitely Maybe, and O.J. Simpson went on the lam in the back of a white Ford Bronco.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
No studio would finance the feature, about a whorehouse exhibitionist who lams it after being framed for murder — so director Melvin Van Peebles financed it himself with a boost from Bill Cosby, who gave him a $50,000 loan.
—Andrew Lawrence, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024
One of those classic films that’s as good as its reputation (and maybe even better), Billy Wilder’s high-spirited comedy stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as jazz musicians who have to lam it after witnessing a mob crime.
—Keith Phipps, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for lam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lam
Noun
-
The Madison has extensive strains of DNA from Redford’s adaptation of The Horse Whisperer, with its emphasis on a rural escape as the ultimate salve for psychic wounds, but also Ordinary People, a film about the impact of grief on the family unit.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In 2007, a Syrian journalism student arrived in Damascus for an exam with a secret escape plan.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From April 2020 to July 2025, 182,000 residents fled to other states, causing a demographic decline and a serious brain drain.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When officers tried to intervene, the man fled in a car, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Weatherproofing required The project is currently the only one of its kind flying in Scandinavia.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Warriors will play at Detroit on Friday, and then fly to Atlanta to take on the Hawks the next day.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lam. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
