evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

ē-

1

: a means of evading : dodge

2

: the act or an instance of evading : escape

suspected of tax evasion

Synonyms

• avoidance
• cop-out
• dodging
• ducking
• eluding
• elusion
• escape
• eschewal
• eschewing
• out
• shaking
• shunning

Examples of evasion in a Sentence

He was arrested for tax evasion.

They came up with an evasion of the law to keep all the land for themselves.

His reply was nothing but careful evasions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Conversely, breaching may also be a means of evasion. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

In 1931: Gangster Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion, leading to an 11-year prison sentence partly served in the infamous Alcatraz prison. —The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024

In connection with the credit card purchases, both Misty and Kasey face five charges of theft and tax evasion. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 14 Oct. 2024

There is less current national data about the link between crime and fare evasion. —CBS News, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin evasion-, evasio, from Latin evadere to evade

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

1

: a means of evading

2

: the act or an instance of evading : escape

tax evasion

Legal Definition

evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən 

1

: a means of evading

2

: the act or an instance of evading see also tax evasion