ESCAPES Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

escapes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of escape

as in flees

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

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as in evades

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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escapes

2 of 2

noun

plural of escape

as in breaks

the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement a daring prison escape

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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 escapes

Verb

But as Marty Supreme proved last year, debuting after the rest of the competition can also feel a bit like being the lone straggler in a bike race who escapes the cascading crash that takes out everyone else. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 Jordan, who escapes relatively unscathed, is at once cowed and traumatized yet committed to vengeance. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Which group has the better venues, assuming one ever escapes the giant conference halls long enough to find out? — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026 Addy’s family escapes slavery, only to discover a hierarchy of color in the North. — Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Colorado's Ralphie escapes her handlers There was that time when there was a buffalo running around without any supervision, thanks to the University of Colorado's Ralphie. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The team's research represents the most in-depth investigation yet into how matter escapes these protoplanetary disks and how this escape gives rise to different stages of planet formation around sun-like stars. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Wolf defeats Genichiro, who resurrects through the power of the Rejuvenating Waters and escapes. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 In the video, Benatar escapes an abusive family situation, confronts a sexist club owner, and encourages a group of female dancers to fight back. — Lisa Whittington-Hill, Longreads, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Summary The Maldives, long known for luxury escapes, is experiencing a significant shift in traveler expectations. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 No dragons, of course, but plenty of political conniving, clashing swords and last-minute escapes. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 This month’s lineup spans everything from high-stakes thrillers to romantic escapes that linger long after the final page. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 31 July 2026 Patrick Obert, who co-founded Stirred Travel in 2016, seeks out extraordinary European locations for the company’s unique culinary escapes, matching acclaimed chefs with exceptional regional food, in a relaxed house-party atmosphere. — Xandie Nutting, TheWeek, 28 July 2026 Experts say younger travelers are choosing unique experiences, affordable escapes, and places with fewer crowds. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026 For traffickers and offenders who rely on quick escapes along our state’s busy roadways, LPRs strip away their advantage. — Charles "chuck" Broadway, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 From adults-only pools to tranquil spas, these luxury resorts offer relaxing escapes tailored to travelers over 50. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026 This season’s new fiction and nonfiction illuminate our manic world while offering riveting escapes. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escapes

Verb

Based on the legend of the Chinese goddess Chang’e, this book reimagines and expands the myth to center her daughter, Xingyin, who flees her home and embarks on a bold adventure to save her mother while training in enemy territory.

— Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Holden eagerly rebels against Pencey Prep, gets the boot, and flees to New York City, a place with its own vices and hazards, but without the sort of propaganda and pretense that obscure the school’s dark underside.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of flees

Noun

The threat of shattered glass if the bottle breaks, the subsequent odor suffusing all the items in your carryon, liquids seeping dangerously close to electronics—none of it sounds like a good idea.

— Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
If your washing machine breaks or there is a leak in your ceiling, your landlord will be responsible for paying to replace it or fix the problem.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of breaks

Verb

Delta Air Lines flies direct between Atlanta and Johannesburg and is expected to launch service between Atlanta and Cape Town later this year.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Hig flies old Cessna planes into Denver for supplies and makes occasional deliveries to a local Mennonite community led by Aaron (Benedict Wong).

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of flies

Verb

The outdoors become additional living space Lazime’s team also avoids installing air-conditioning whenever possible—instead, this home relies on ceiling fans in the warmer months.

— Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Aggregators typically disclose this information in their search filters, and knowing it in advance avoids confusion on arrival.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoids

Noun

Embracing modern globalized tourism, the newcomers came on direct charter flights, even from provincial cities, to the civilian airport at U-Tapao, benefiting from a 30-day visa-free agreement.

— Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Since launching in May 2024, the dog-centric luxury airline has flown nearly 1 million miles, transporting 2,661 pets across 40 breeds via more than 360 flights.

— Rebecca Norris, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of flights

Noun

Oklahoma City went 8-0 against LeBron James and the Lakers this season — and the defending champs are also 8-0 in these playoffs after back-to-back routs of Phoenix and Los Angeles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
High school football in La Jolla this week was a tale of two routs — one on the positive side and the other not so much.

— La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025

Definition of routs

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escapers

escapes

escaping

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Style

“Escapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escapes. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of escapes

verb

noun

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