eschew

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb eschew contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of eschew are avoid, elude, escape, evade, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

Where would avoid be a reasonable alternative to eschew?

The meanings of avoid and eschew largely overlap; however, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When is elude a more appropriate choice than eschew?

The words elude and eschew 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 could escape be used to replace eschew?

While the synonyms escape and eschew are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use evade instead of eschew?

The words evade and eschew can be used in similar contexts, but 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 eschew?

Although the words shun and eschew have much in common, 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 eschew Like most serious barbecue aficionados, Cook eschewed utensils. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025 Until 15 years ago, however, its armed forces largely eschewed the traditional trappings of great powers. Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025 Best of the rest Joe Rogan’s show once eschewed politics. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 With budget printing techniques, paperbacks allowed much of America to eschew hard covers for pocket-sized reading material one could, for the most part, take anywhere inconspicuously. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eschew
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eschew
Verb
  • Unfortunately, Hartford continues to avoid the heavy lifting that is required to have a successful system.
    Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
  • To avoid any surprises, check the Maryland Park Service website for real-time updates.
    Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Colt escapes by initially driving a speedboat while facing away from the controls, evades his pursuers by zigging and zagging through the river, and then purposefully drives his boat into a floating pontoon, faking his own death via the gigantic explosion.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Now, however, DHS states that the previous rules hindered law enforcement efforts by creating sites where people without legal status could evade capture.
    Jackie Fortiér, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His songs convey a profound restlessness—a yearning to escape and leave his past behind, reflecting an unease with his circumstances.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Seeking escape from an uneasy family life, Gene was entranced by the movies.
    David Morgan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eschew.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eschew. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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