evade

verb

i-ˈvād How to pronounce evade (audio)
Definition of evadenext
as in to avoid
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery people who use every loophole in the law to evade paying taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evade contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evade are avoid, elude, escape, eschew, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When would avoid be a good substitute for evade?

While the synonyms avoid and evade are close in meaning, 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 evade?

In some situations, the words elude and evade are roughly equivalent. However, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

In what contexts can escape take the place of evade?

The meanings of escape and evade largely overlap; however, 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 eschew be used to replace evade?

While in some cases nearly identical to evade, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When can shun be used instead of evade?

The words shun and evade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 evade How is Tom going to go after Grasso, and how is Grasso going try to maintain his innocence or try to evade scrutiny? —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025 While Abigail Spanberger stood with her running mate Jay Jones and his murderous fantasies, and evaded every direct question including equivocating over men being in locker rooms with girls. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025 The next day, Alassmari was caught speeding again and attempted to evade officers a second time. —Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 11 Oct. 2025 Finney has been charged with harassment, evading police and illegally possessing a weapon due to a lengthy and violent previous criminal history, according to police. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evade
  1. avoid
  2. escape
Verb
  • But Takaichi gave up her beloved Kawasaki Z400GP motorcycle after becoming a lawmaker in 1993 at age 32, reportedly to avoid accidents that could hinder her work.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Methane has been measured escaping from crevices in the seabed at a high rate as the region warms at unprecedented rates, according to a paper published in Nature Communications.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

evadable
evade
evaded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evade. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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