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

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
While restaurants, meatpackers and countless other businesses now risk having workers targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, tech employers have largely escaped Trump administration scrutiny for their use of foreign labor. —Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 June 2025 Maye had to escape to the right, away from the break of the dig. —Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
Just a short boat ride from Venice’s Piazza San Marco, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa offers a secluded escape on the private Isola delle Rose. —Taryn White, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 Ohio man gets probation after wandering into Hammond home An Ohio man was sentenced to one year probation May 20 for wandering into a random Hammond home and hitting the homeowner with a cell phone during his escape. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 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
  • Hardin fled the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, through a secure entryway on May 25 wearing a fake law enforcement uniform.
    — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The family fled Colombia in 2002, leaving behind comfort and status.
    — Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Massey has evaded hundreds of authorities in a multistate manhunt.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • The last few months have borne witness to AI systems learning to mislead, cheat, and try to evade shutdown—even resorting to blackmail.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
Definition of evade
Noun
  • When Robinson eventually returned to the airport to board another flight, he was detained, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • On Friday, at least 14 commercial and charter flights were landing in Miami from Havana, according to flight information from the airport.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Definition of flight
Noun
  • They were found guilty in June 2022 of not only bank fraud and tax evasion, but also conspiring to defraud the IRS.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
  • This distinction often leads to taxpayers’ confusion when assessing the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.
    — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of evasion
Verb
  • This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
  • Perez was intentionally walked to load the bases, but the Royals stranded all three runners as Maikel Garcia flew out to right field.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Snow cowered in the back, avoiding eye contact when Kiersten tried reaching her hand out.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Doing so prevents on-ball defenders from being left behind the play trying to fight through a screen, but the approach necessitates defenders who can guard a variety of positions to avoid mismatches after switching.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • Even taking a short break to breathe, reflect or laugh with a colleague can restore perspective.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The Face the Nation preview was aired during the show, not during an advertising break.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • This smacks of the classic PR strategy of avoidance, which always works in a market like Chicago for a team like the Bears.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The robot's dual 96-line lidar sensors and wide-angle cameras feed data into its onboard processors, enabling real-time mapping, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and autonomous navigation, even in low visibility or completely dark environments.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of avoidance

Phrases Containing escape

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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 10 Jun. 2025.

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