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 Sometimes the convergence of two distinct boundaries resists and evades touch altogether, such as a horizon line that can never be reached. —Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025 The legal team representing a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities recently expanded their motion to dismiss the case. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 Their new material is designed to evade both microwave and infrared detection technologies widely used in modern military surveillance, even when exposed to extremely high temperatures, as reported by the South China Morning Post. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 Penguin Press, June 17 Image El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott After skipping town to evade a nagging creditor in 2008, Harper returns to her Detroit suburb months later to find her two older sisters, once in the throes of debt, sporting fresh highlights and driving a Lexus. —Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for evade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evade
  1. avoid
  2. escape
Verb
  • But the majority of Tributary buyers prefer a turnkey home, avoiding the time and effort required to build a custom residence.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
  • Snow cowered in the back, avoiding eye contact when Kiersten tried reaching her hand out.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • The main thing to avoid is a wide-mouthed glass, which lets aromas escape too quickly.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • On Monday, Tomaszewski learned one of his neighbors found a white Nike shoe in between the home where the shooting occurred and the yard people escaped through.
    — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

evadable
evade
evaded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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