escape 1 of 2

verb

i-ˈskāp How to pronounce escape (audio)
Definition of escapenext
1
as in to flee
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation everyone managed to escape from the burning building in time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to evade
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery a judge who is very determined not to let criminals escape punishment

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escape

2 of 2

noun

1
as in flight
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement a daring prison escape

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evasion
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable the reading of science fiction novels as an escape from boring reality

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb escape contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of escape are avoid, elude, eschew, evade, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," 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 avoid be used to replace escape?

The words avoid and escape can be used in similar contexts, but 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 escape?

The words elude and escape are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When is eschew a more appropriate choice than escape?

While in some cases nearly identical to escape, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can evade be used instead of escape?

In some situations, the words evade and escape are roughly equivalent. However, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When would shun be a good substitute for escape?

The meanings of shun and escape largely overlap; however, 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 escape
Verb
There was no escaping the Democrats’ hysterical display. —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 8 Mar. 2025 That was the case on Friday night on the Canadian west coast, as a late mistake by the Minnesota Wild derailed an otherwise exemplary effort, and the Vancouver Canucks escaped with a 3-1 win. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
Hall had a timely escape near the end of the second round to record the match’s first points and another midway through the third frame to secure a 2-0 win. —Columbia Missourian, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025 Louise also said the series — which ran from 1964 to 1967 — was an escape from the turmoil of the 1960s. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for escape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape
  1. flee
  2. evade
  3. flight
  4. evasion
  5. fly
  6. avoid
  7. break
  8. avoidance
Verb
  • Northcott fled to Canada, but was arrested soon after.
    — KC Baker, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • On March 1, police descended upon Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the championship was holding its second day competitions, as a stampede of cheerleaders, coaches and parents ran fleeing from what many believed to be an active shooter situation.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Van Lith has competed in four conference title games over the span of her career, but this was the first time the title didn’t evade her.
    — Allison Smith, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Until further data can be confirmed, Intuitive Machines will be hoping Athena will evade meeting similar fate.
    — Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of evade
Noun
  • The impact on the unit and flights around Reagan National is expected to come up March 27 at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing where Brig.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Eventually ruling it unsafe, NASA ordered Starliner to fly back empty in September and moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight due back in February.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of flight
Noun
  • Part of this containment strategy is to stop Chinese company transshipments through Canada and Mexico from engaging in willful U.S. tariff evasion.
    — Jason Schenker, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Our president is about to pardon Pete, who gambled on games but did time for tax evasion.
    — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of evasion
Verb
  • Ramsey flies more than 400,000 miles per year and has traveled to all 7 continents, 50 U.S. states and 173 of the United Nations countries.
    — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Colored powder was flying in the air on Sunday in Scripps Ranch during a Holi festival put on by a San Diego nonprofit for the first time.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Which only underscores the importance of drafting well and avoiding the need to fill holes through free agency.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The initial vote to proceed was 62-38, triggering a process that led to passage of the funding bill late today and avoid a shutdown.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • The Kings led 65-54 at the halftime break after shooting 51.1% while holding the Grizzlies to 45.7%.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Perversely, the lack of injuries has meant many players have not had any break from football, while playing in the Champions League (Liverpool were in the Europa League last season), has given Slot fewer opportunities to rotate.
    — Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • The real marvel, in this instance, being the avoidance of vulgarity.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Colin Kramer, a legislative representative and union steward for at the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, said his local is doing something different this year by explicitly not calling for an avoidance of a government shutdown.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of avoidance

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Cite this Entry

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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