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eschew

verb
es·​chew | \ e-ˈshü How to pronounce eschew (audio) , i-; es-ˈchü, is-; also e-ˈskyü How to pronounce eschew (audio) \
eschewed; eschewing; eschews

Definition of eschew

transitive verb

: to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds : shun
Other Words from eschew Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about eschew

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Other Words from eschew

eschewal \ e-​ˈshü-​əl How to pronounce eschewal (audio) , i-​ ; es-​ˈchü-​ , is-​ ; also  e-​ˈskyü-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for eschew

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. nothing escapes her sharp eyes avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. try to avoid past errors evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. evaded the question by changing the subject elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. what she sees in him eludes me 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 implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. a playwright who eschews melodrama

Did You Know?

Eschew derives from the Anglo-French verb eschiver and is akin to the Old High German verb sciuhen ("to frighten off"), an ancestor of our word shy. In his famous dictionary of 1755 Dr. Samuel Johnson characterized "eschew" as "almost obsolete." History has proven that the great lexicographer was wrong on that call, however. William Thackeray found "eschew" alive enough to use it almost one hundred years later in his classic novel Vanity Fair: "He has already eschewed green coats, red neckcloths, and other worldly ornaments." The word swelled in usage in English during the 19th and 20th centuries and is now common enough to be included even in small paperback dictionaries.

Examples of eschew in a Sentence

Though a doctor with psychiatric training, he eschewed the science that had so enamored earlier child-rearing professionals … — Sue Halpern, New York Review of Books, 29 May 2003 A fair number of academics eschew the simple title "professor" and call themselves economists, astronomers, historians, philosophers. — Tracy Kidder, Home Town, 1999 When introduced to a stranger, he eschewed formalities, stuck out a gnarled right hand and responded with a chummy, "Hermann." — Tim Layden, Sports Illustrated, 2 Feb. 1998 They now eschew the violence of their past. a psychologist who eschews the traditional methods of psychotherapy
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But in a bid to work around Mr. Trump's impulsiveness, Macron has eschewed plans for a formal joint statement from this gathering. — CBS News, "White House says Trump regrets not raising China tariffs higher after G-7 comments," 25 Aug. 2019 Unlike Faraday Future and the myriad other electric vehicle startups, Canoo is working on subscription-only vehicles that eschew personal ownership (an idea that a number of major automakers are also toying with, albeit on a limited basis). — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "Canoo’s CEO steps away as the startup shows off EV designs," 16 Aug. 2019 In many Chinese families, words are eschewed for actions. — Dallas News, "I'm not alone in my strange hunger: How 'The Farewell' reflects food and the Chinese-American family," 9 Aug. 2019 Now, researchers have found the first shipworm that eschews wood for a very different diet: rock. — Alex Fox, Science | AAAS, "Top stories: Jobs just for women, fish losing their senses, and the evolution of puppy dog eyes," 21 June 2019 The installation is lovely, but the museum has a purist style that eschews labels, accompanies exhibitions with leaflets, and lets objects stand on their own. — Edward Rothstein, WSJ, "‘Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt’ Review: Editing the Image," 17 June 2019 Grafton, another small Illinois community, has eschewed levees in favor of buyouts and a slow, piecemeal retreat to higher ground. — Tristan Baurick, nola.com, "For some Mississippi River cities, there are only 2 choices — adapt or move: The River’s Revenge," 15 June 2019 Vessi's production process is totally vegan, minimizing carbon footprint and eschewing the animal fats and byproducts often used in footwear glues and rubbers. — Dan Q. Dao, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Waterproof Shoes You Can Wear for an Entire Trip," 2 Aug. 2019 But most party leaders have eschewed impeachment talk in ahead of the midterms. — Rebecca Ballhaus And Janet Hook, WSJ, "Trump Denies Directing Cohen to Break Campaign-Finance Laws," 22 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eschew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of eschew

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for eschew

Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3rd present eschiu) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off — more at shy

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More Definitions for eschew

eschew

verb
How to pronounce eschew (audio) How to pronounce eschew (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of eschew

formal : to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right, proper, etc.

See the full definition for eschew in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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