escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
i-ˈskā-ˌpi-zəm 
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
Examples of escapism in a Sentence
Reading romantic novels is for her a form of escapism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Retailers are tapping into a genuine desire for emotional connection and festive escapism.
—
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Driven by social media hype, nostalgia, and a desire for escapism, Halloween has evolved from a single-day celebration to a season-long retail event.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 1 Oct. 2024
Inspired by gothic ’90s thrillers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs, Osgood Perkins’s unsettling and periodically shocking mood piece is an intelligent example of occult-horror escapism.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
Each one provided a perverse kind of escapism: a dark fantasy depicting Miami as a dreamy, sensuous war zone dotted with glass skyscrapers, cobalt swimming pools, and pastels.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escapism 
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.
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Driven by social media hype, nostalgia, and a desire for escapism, Halloween has evolved from a single-day celebration to a season-long retail event.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 1 Oct. 2024
Inspired by gothic ’90s thrillers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs, Osgood Perkins’s unsettling and periodically shocking mood piece is an intelligent example of occult-horror escapism.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
Each one provided a perverse kind of escapism: a dark fantasy depicting Miami as a dreamy, sensuous war zone dotted with glass skyscrapers, cobalt swimming pools, and pastels.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escapism
Dictionary Entries Near escapism
Cite this Entry
“Escapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escapism. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm
: a habit of thinking or a form of entertainment about purely imaginary or amusing things that provides an escape from reality or everyday matters
Medical Definition
escapism
noun
es·cap·ism
is-ˈkā-ˌpiz-əm
: habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share