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escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
i-ˈskā-ˌpi-zəm
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
Examples of escapism in a Sentence
Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.
Recent Examples on the Web
With Trump in office, the ever-reactive entertainment business will internalize some of the culture’s rightward shift, mostly by focusing on producing nonpartisan escapism.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Anime, specifically, has always been about escapism, and to combine anime with a pre-smartphone past just feels like a warm nostalgia bath.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
There’s no real need to reflect that in every video game though, however, especially when escapism is becoming harder and harder to actually render when the outside world is burning all the time.
—Ryan Easby, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
Instead, Linklater’s Hit Man offers nearly two hours of pure escapism that many of us need.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1933, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near escapism
Cite this Entry
“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escapism. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm
: a habit of thinking or a form of entertainment about purely imaginary or amusing things that provides an escape from reality or everyday matters
Medical Definition
escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
More from Merriam-Webster on escapism
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for escapism
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