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.
But His Dark Materials offers much more than mere escapism. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 The shadow here would be chasing escapism… running off to find harmony somewhere else instead of tending to what’s right in front of you. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025 Tonatiuh effortlessly glides between magnetic flamboyance and heart-wrenching vulnerability, and even outshines Lopez in their scenes together − one such moment occurs when the Spider Woman comes to Molina in prison, breaking the escapism for a memorable sequence. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025 Zohar appears to assume that the public will choose escapism, and that state money won’t find its way to movies that ask hard questions. Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escapism. Accessed 19 Oct. 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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