escapism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- escapist adjective
Etymology
Origin of escapism
Explanation
Escapism is the tendency to withdraw from the world into daydreams or entertainment. If you find yourself watching hours of TV every day, you should ask yourself: is it escapism, or just a really exciting show? When life gets difficult, escapism gives people a way to take a break from reality. A person's escapism might consist of playing video games, reading books, or fantasizing about living in a foreign country. Some see escapism as negative, hiding an underlying sadness or depression, while others insist that everyone indulges in escapism to some extent. The word was first used in the 1930s by US psychologists.
Vocabulary lists containing escapism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With their mix of social realism, symbolism and pure escapism, the movies of 1939 embody the same themes that kept audiences flocking to the cinema and other forms of entertainment throughout the decade.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026
"It was the immersion in nature and having things that were green around me that made me feel happy, and plants were an escapism," he said.
From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026
And then I get to wear this gold one on the beach where she gets to let loose and ride off into the sunset when she’s an actress that probably doesn’t get that escapism.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026
Sociologist Denis Volkov of the Levada Centre -- designated a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities -- said escapism is prevalent across Russia.
From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026
The first was a burgeoning industry of escapism.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
