evasion

noun

eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən How to pronounce evasion (audio)
ē-
Synonyms of evasionnext
1
: a means of evading : dodge
Bankruptcy becomes a kind of evasion when firms, some of them still profitable, attempt to avoid obligations that are merely inconvenient.—Mary Graham
2
: the act or an instance of evading : escape
suspected of tax evasion

Synonyms of evasion

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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
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.
Chiu was convicted of murder, second-degree robbery, assault with a firearm and reckless evasion of police. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains that the restriction is a legitimate tool for preventing tax evasion and protecting federal revenue. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Scott McNutt of Robbinsville, New Jersey, argues that the ban, which was put in place to thwart tax evasion, is unconstitutional. — Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026 The flags couldn’t be redder, and Khoshnoudi nimbly sketches out the circuitous emotional paths S takes to avoid seeing them until such evasion suddenly and brutally becomes impossible. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evasion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of evasion was in the 15th century

Rhymes for evasion

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Browse Nearby Words

evasé
evasion
evasional
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Cite this Entry

“Evasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evasion. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

evasion

noun
eva·​sion i-ˈvā-zhən How to pronounce evasion (audio)
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 How to pronounce evasion (audio)
1
: a means of evading
2
: the act or an instance of evading see also tax evasion
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