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
John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
Paul Brightman lives on the lam while evading Russian operatives.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
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
Alvi Limani, 20, ditched the scene of the deadly New Jersey crash on June 25 and left one of his passengers to die, then went on the lam for 2½ weeks, prosecutors allege.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
Paul Brightman lives on the lam while evading Russian operatives.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
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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D'Ambrosi said many of her customers split their time between London and country homes in the Cotswolds, using the area as a weekend escape.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
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Unlike Florida’s eight-point escape in the opening game of the SEC Tournament against Kentucky, which preceded the Vandy drag, the rest could prove vital Sunday.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The officer was able to get behind a barrier and avoid being hit, and Carter fled in the U-Haul, police said.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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The routes are also used by Lebanese civilians, including by people seeking to flee to the north for safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While some of the students were flying through the sky for dunks and layups, the impact of the courts goes beyond hoops, too.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
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As the operation collapses into violence and betrayal his only way out is to keep flying.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lam. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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