ESCHEW Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

eschew

verb

e-ˈshü

Definition of eschew next

as in to avoid

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery the minister eschews involvement in local politics, since he doesn't want to diminish his moral authority in the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 There was already a lot to like about Honda's compact, which eschews lamentable trends like an over-reliance on touchscreens for good old-fashioned physical controls. —

Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025 Some rebels fighting the military are also complicit in the trade, though other armed groups have eschewed drug trafficking completely. —

Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 Yet, as this Leading Hotels of the World member is one of Barcelona’s premier hotels, curators have wisely eschewed information labels next to each artwork and the collection doesn’t scream for attention. —

John Oseid, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 The couple, who entertains often, eschewed a formal dining room for an inviting banquette. —

Stacie Stukin, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eschew

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eschew

Verb

Remember to keep a thorough record of your communication in writing to avoid any misunderstandings.

— Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2025
President-elect Trump wants congressional Republicans to figure out a way to avoid a default on the national debt after venting his frustration with the Senate GOP over their failure to raise the debt limit as part of a government-funding package last month.

— Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025