ESCAPE Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

escape 1 of 2

verb

i-ˈskāp

Definition of escape

as in to flee

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation everyone managed to escape from the burning building in time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

escape

2 of 2

noun

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

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

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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

In the clip, Alvarez accused the business’ owners of turning their back on their roots as descendants of Cuban immigrants who escaped communism. — Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 But in recent weeks, immigrants from a few nations appear to have escaped that fate. — Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Noun

His return to Los Angeles is yet another form of escape, this time from a burgeoning career in Chicago and a romantic relationship with a woman named Carol (Olivia Wilde). — Alessia Amorosini, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 For a number of students, the full story of their family’s escape is revealed for the first time on camera. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for escape

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape

Verb

The case centers on the Cuban government shooting down two Brothers to the Rescue flights, a civilian rescue group dedicated to saving refugees fleeing the authoritarian Castro regime — then run by Raul Castro’s older brother Fidel.

— Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Several reports say the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and fled after firing.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of flee

Verb

Europe hopes to build the euro into an alternative global currency to evade the dollar’s iron grip.

— Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Tel Aviv — At least 40 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men were arrested upon arriving Tuesday morning at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of attempting to evade the country's military draft, the Israel Defense Forces said.

— Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of evade

Noun

Thursday’s demonstration did not show long-range flight capabilities.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The co-pilot is alleged to have stabbed the plane’s captain and taken over the flight controls with the intention of crashing it into Ben-Gurion airport.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of flight

Noun

The flags couldn’t be redder, and Khoshnoudi nimbly sketches out the circuitous emotional paths S takes to avoid seeing them until such evasion suddenly and brutally becomes impossible.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Fan largely disappeared from Chinese screens after a 2018 tax evasion case.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of evasion

Verb

The company had been gearing up to fly several more this year having already been given approval to fly as many as 12 times a year.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
For the 31st time as secretary of state, Marco Rubio has left on a trip abroad, flying to Uzbekistan and later India amid rumblings that America's top diplomat is ignoring pressing matters in favor of politically safer visits and meetings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of fly

Verb

Recently, A'ja Wilson charged aggressively toward a fan in the stands and avoided a suspension.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The group chose roads that would keep them moving, avoiding excessive stop-start riding at traffic lights and intersections wherever possible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoid

Noun

Daily Alerts Stay informed as soon as important news breaks around Washington DC and the entire world.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Alice Mushrooms Chocolate Discovery Set Alice mushroom chocolates are for the friend who tries every single wellness trend but also loves to indulge in a daily (or nightly) chocolate break.

— Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of break

Noun

The company’s ev1 resembles a power wheelchair but operates like an autonomous vehicle, with 360-degree sensors that provide proactive collision avoidance and smart driving capabilities.

— Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
An estate planning attorney can speak about protecting a family’s future without guaranteeing probate avoidance or asset protection.

— Matthew Nigro, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoidance

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escapades

escape

escaped

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Style

“Escape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escape. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of escape

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Synonyms of escape

verb

noun

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