escapism

noun

es·​cap·​ism i-ˈskā-ˌpi-zəm How to pronounce escapism (audio)
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
escapist adjective or noun

Examples of escapism in a Sentence

Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for escapism 

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of escapism was in 1933

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 How to pronounce escapism (audio)
: a habit of thinking or a form of entertainment about purely imaginary or amusing things that provides an escape from reality or everyday matters
escapist adjective or noun

Medical Definition

escapism

noun
es·​cap·​ism is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm How to pronounce escapism (audio)
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
escapist adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on escapism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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