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 next

as in to flee

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Best presentation concept: Zegna turned the Milano Convention Center into a verdant, hilly escape from the rain outside. —

Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025 In an attempt to create a new life, Tornado seizes the opportunity to steal the gold from the gang’s most recent heist and fights to escape a violent demise. —

Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025

Noun

Antony could be set for an escape from his miserable spell at Old Trafford. —

Phil Hay, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 The lake also played a key role in the shrine’s unlikely escape from the Palisades fire, as a family of three devotees used its waters to extinguish threatening flames. —

Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for escape

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escape

Verb

Assad, whose family had ruled Syria since 1971, fled to Moscow.

— Warren P. Strobel, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Investigators believe that an armed assailant entered the location and fired a gun, and then fled the scene, police said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Jan. 2025