escape mechanism
noun
: a mode of behavior or thinking adopted to evade unpleasant facts or responsibilities
Examples of escape mechanism in a Sentence
She uses humor as an escape mechanism.
Football gives him an escape mechanism for his anger.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eating quickly, then retreating to safety for digestion is a predator escape mechanism.
—
Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024
Sill also grew up in an abusive home, and turned to a life of crime and drug usage as an escape mechanism.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
The fail-safe escape mechanism on Alvin is a socket set in the floor of the passenger sphere.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Biking during the pandemic became a lifesaving escape mechanism.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2022
The tail was gone, likely dropped as an escape mechanism, with a new tail not yet grown in.
—Sharman Apt Russell, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2015
But refusing to be downtrodden and using golf as an escape mechanism, Moore turned her passion into her career.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 24 Nov. 2020
Regardless of the bacteria’s escape mechanism, the experiment conjures questions about bacteria sophistication.
—Sophia Chen, Wired, 9 June 2020
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.
Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024
Sill also grew up in an abusive home, and turned to a life of crime and drug usage as an escape mechanism.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
The fail-safe escape mechanism on Alvin is a socket set in the floor of the passenger sphere.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Biking during the pandemic became a lifesaving escape mechanism.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2022
The tail was gone, likely dropped as an escape mechanism, with a new tail not yet grown in.
—Sharman Apt Russell, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2015
But refusing to be downtrodden and using golf as an escape mechanism, Moore turned her passion into her career.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 24 Nov. 2020
Regardless of the bacteria’s escape mechanism, the experiment conjures questions about bacteria sophistication.
—Sophia Chen, Wired, 9 June 2020
Dictionary Entries Near escape mechanism
Cite this Entry
“Escape mechanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20mechanism. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share