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
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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
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Recent Examples of lam
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Despicable Me 4 centers on Gru (Carell) and his family — including newest addition, Gru Jr. — going on the lam after a threat from the villainous Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell).
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 July 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
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
Despicable Me 4 centers on Gru (Carell) and his family — including newest addition, Gru Jr. — going on the lam after a threat from the villainous Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell).
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 July 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
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The first escape occurred on April 3, 1996, when Froberg, serving time for armed robbery, escaped from a work detail and stole a 1986 Oldsmobile from an elderly woman.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
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Bumgarner said Froberg stayed with the nurse for about a week before traveling to Pennsylvania, where he was arrested in August 1996 in connection with the Alabama prison escape.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Inside the multistory bar, there were overturned tables and drinks left behind by fleeing customers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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The shooting sent crowds fleeing from one of Austin’s most popular nightlife areas, located near the University of Texas campus and known for heavy weekend foot traffic.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In civil aerospace, for example, Rolls is benefiting as manufacturers Airbus and Boeing struggle to deliver new aircraft at the pace the market requires — obliging airlines to keep flying old planes (and their engines) for longer.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
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Comfortable headphones are essential for flying these days, but more so for long-haul flights.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lam. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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