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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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
But the new migrants were more visible than their predecessors, as many applied for asylum or entered through other legal pathways instead of trying to escape arrest at the border. —Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 5 Nov. 2024 Parents can breathe a sigh of relief at an easy transition away from the pool to escape the sun for a few moments, while also receiving an impressive education on Southern California’s wild birds. —Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Do keep exits clear of decorations so nothing is blocking the escape route in the event of an emergency. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 After the transplant, gliding tree frog clutches nearly tripled their escape success. —Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 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
  • In late September, Hamza had reluctantly fled his village, a few miles from the border with Israel.
    Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Both suspects then fled toward a car driven by a third man.
    Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers as a low-tech means of communication in an attempt to evade Israeli location-tracking, two sources familiar with the group’s operations told Reuters this year.
    Reuters, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
  • El Monte police said that charges of kidnapping and felony evading would be submitted to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
    Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Definition of evade
Noun
  • The assault happened on March 20, 2022, after a Southwest Airline flight landed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was waiting on the tarmac for an arrival gate to open, the release said.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Inside each piggy bank, winners will find: A $1,000 flight voucher, enough for four Frontier roundtrip flights.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of flight
Noun
  • In 2022, the company agreed to pay roughly $60 million (55.8 million euros) to settle a tax evasion investigation in Italy.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The law was meant to crack down on tax evasion, but many Americans living abroad have found the compliance burden to be untenable.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
Definition of evasion
Verb
  • And Americans who have flown private before are three times more likely to trust private pilots over commercial ones.
    Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
  • In December, the developers flew Smith, Owens and an unidentified witness to Florida on a private jet for a meeting on a yacht.
    Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Definition of fly
Verb
  • These things make Istanbul a great place to get high-quality hair transplants at low prices, but patients need to be careful to avoid secret risks.
    Ethan Stone, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Per prosecutors, Diddy used three-way calls and other inmates’ phone codes to avoid scrutiny.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • Is the McRib back:When the McDonald's sandwich's 'farewell tour' launches in Arizona Need a break?
    Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Greater Cincinnati restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day 2024 Red Roost Tavern Open from 7-10 a.m. and 4-10 p.m. Need a break?
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of break
Noun
  • However, more expensive models are generally equipped with advanced features like smart mapping and obstacle avoidance.
    Camryn Rabideau, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump practiced the politics of avoidance Tuesday in Pennsylvania.
    David Jackson, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Definition of avoidance

Phrases Containing escape

Thesaurus Entries Near escape

escapades

escape

escaped

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Cite this Entry

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on escape

Nglish: Translation of escape for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of escape for Arabic Speakers

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