evade

verb

i-ˈvād How to pronounce evade (audio)
Definition of evadenext
as in to avoid
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery people who use every loophole in the law to evade paying taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evade contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evade are avoid, elude, escape, eschew, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When would avoid be a good substitute for evade?

While the synonyms avoid and evade are close in meaning, 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 evade?

In some situations, the words elude and evade are roughly equivalent. However, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

In what contexts can escape take the place of evade?

The meanings of escape and evade largely overlap; however, 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 eschew be used to replace evade?

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

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can shun be used instead of evade?

The words shun and evade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 evade The challenge Yakovenko faces is evading Russia’s efforts to jam radio frequencies used to control his drones. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 Cronk was originally charged with evading responsibility resulting in death and operating a motor vehicle without a license. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025 Ten people involved in the ambush were arrested that night or early the next morning, but Song evaded capture, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025 Dexter stalks his next victim (Marc Menchaca) — a killer who targets ride-share drivers — while the ghost of his father Harry (James Remar) urges him to be careful, and a fidgety Harrison tries to evade police suspicions. —EW.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for evade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evade
  1. avoid
  2. escape
Verb
  • Close the blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block the sun's rays and avoid unwanted heat.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • After all, avoiding some topics or questions altogether could be perceived as a political response, said Mark Riedl, a professor of computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • The project explores the tension between love and loneliness, questioning whether one escapes solitude by helping others find meaningful relationships.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 July 2025
  • Eventually, in a moment of crisis, Titch also escapes with him on it, kicking off what will become a wild continent-hopping odyssey.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

evadable
evade
evaded
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Cite this Entry

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of evade for Spanish Speakers

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