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
Who won safety in the BB Block Buster competition in Week 3? Kelley, Will, and Adrian were the housemates to enter the BB Block Buster competition and had one more shot at safety for the week and escape the block. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 31 July 2025 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
Noun
Only a five minute drive from Ohio State’s campus, Forno offers a refreshing change of pace, with elevated dining and an atmosphere that feels like an escape from game day chaos. —Siena Kessler, People.com, 30 July 2025 Both have been releasing pet trackers since 2013, but Tractive has gained more market share in recent years and has even taken PCMag's title for the best tracker with fast escape alerts. —PC Magazine, 29 July 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
  • Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.
    — Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
Definition of flee
Verb
  • According to one speaker, removing those guardrails and creating a dedicated non-public LLM can be an effective way to create malware and devise techniques for evading antivirus detection.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The rivers and waterways of Klong Root are seen in the penultimate scenes of Jurassic World Rebirth, as protagonists Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) attempt to evade dinosaurs by paddling downriver.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
Definition of evade
Noun
  • The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.
    — Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • As there was no doctor on board, the Air India flight crew created space for the woman to deliver her baby at around 35,000 feet with the assistance of a nurse passenger, The Hindustan Times reported.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of flight
Noun
  • The Russians are already working in ways of countering interceptors, including jamming, automatic evasion, and a new model of Shahed with a jet engine to outpace them.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The series will continue the following night, followed by episodes on Sept. 9 and 16. Todd, 56, and Julie, 52, were each convicted of multiple bank fraud and tax evasion charges in June 2022, with Todd being sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and Julie to seven.
    — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
Definition of evasion
Verb
  • The Air Force flies the F-35A while the Marine Corps flies the F-35B STOVL jet.
    — Anna Commander Robert Birsel John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
  • Holder Hugh Robertson handled the snap cleanly, and Olano’s kick flew between the goal posts.
    — Sam Brief, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Definition of fly
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
Noun
  • The Arizona Diamondbacks, 51-55, have already started selling, and the floundering St. Louis Cardinals have gone 3-7 since the break and could begin selling off their assets.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 28 July 2025
  • Ariel Atkins is no closer to returning after suffering a leg injury shortly before the All-Star break.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Definition of break
Noun
  • But what looks like momentum can feel like avoidance.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • One of the buoying aspects of Shakman’s film is its avoidance of antagonist overexposure.
    — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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