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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 escapes

Verb

This simply means that heat escapes extremely slowly through this material, which is comparable to fiberglass insulation. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026 Once this reaches a critical point, the gas escapes, driving magma with it until the supply in the magma chamber is exhausted. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 At the end, however, Mary escapes the train and is given a second chance to live. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 The cost of a homegrown tool, including an error that escapes into production, say on a manufacturing line or in a financial services security breach, is huge. — Dan Faulkner, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Malo Knitwear specialist Malo offered a transitional wardrobe befitting the earlier days of spring in the city through to summer escapes on the Spanish island of Menorca. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 Many forests and national parks around the world make for beautiful, secluded escapes. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2026 Some of this material escapes the black hole after being channeled to its poles, from where it is blasted out as twin jets travelling at near light-speed. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Out-of-control AI escapes human oversight, commandeers vital infrastructure and kills millions of people or even all of humanity. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

Powell weighed in on whether entertainment can still bring Americans together and if action movies are one of the last remaining escapes from the political divide. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 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 Where to Stroll The Jackson Park Lagoon offers one of the city’s most peaceful escapes. — Midwest Living, 5 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escapes

Verb

For example, if a bank robbery suspect flees in a vehicle and witnesses provide only a description, investigators can search the database for vehicles matching that description.

— Gino Vicci, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
The agent then flees into the titular pawn shop as a mob of protesters pursue him.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of flees

Verb

Neither of those interpretations would be entirely invalid, exactly, and yet The Basics of Philosophy — ironically enough, given its title — mostly evades any such moral didacticism.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Journalists and negotiators follow up when someone evades the point.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of evades

Noun

If price breaks above $600, shares clear a major hurdle and a quick pop — driven by a short squeeze and fast money playing the breakout — could follow.

— Jay Woods, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
The 22-dish menu runs nearly three hours and is deliberately less intense than Anand's Thailand flagship, with a page of house rules on phone use and smoke breaks handed out before the welcome drink.

— Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of breaks

Verb

When the group gets close to a nest, the mother duck usually flies off, giving everyone a chance to spot the eggs hidden in the cover crop.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Back then, the company — which also flies the workhorse Electron small-satellite launcher — targeted a 2024 debut for the 141-foot-tall (42 meters) Neutron, which features a reusable first stage.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of flies

Verb

This game may come down to whichever team controls the clock and avoids turnovers.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Setting the shifting moods expertly is Michael Giacchino’s score that nicely avoids the clichés of the genre(s) while still honoring them.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoids

Noun

The current itinerary for the trip is ambitious and the longest of his papacy to date, calling for Leo to clock just over 19,000 miles on a dozen flights and two helicopter rides, and a significant altitude change in Peru.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Air France-KLM has suspended flights to Riyadh until 31 October and Delta Air Lines has delayed planned services from Atlanta to Riyadh, initially due to start on October 23, until March 2027.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 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

Noun

News of wilderness rescues during the chaos ignited widespread criticism of the hikers on social media, including 1,600 reactions and comments on the Linville-Central Rescue Squad’s Facebook post.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The Florida National Guard, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Transportation and other emergency response teams have mobilized in preparation for power outages, rescues and evacuations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescues

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of escapes

verb

noun

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