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.
Last December, Galvan admitted paying the bribe and pleaded guilty to one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of evasion of tax assessment. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 He was stripped of his heavyweight title, barred from boxing for more than three years and convicted of draft evasion. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 But the ambassador retorts with evasion, keeping the language cryptic. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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