eschew
Americanverb (used with object)
-
eschews,
present (3rd person singular)
-
eschewed,
past participle, past
-
eschewing
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
eschewsimple
-
eschewssimple
-
have eschewedperfect
-
has eschewedperfect
-
am eschewingprogressive
-
are eschewingprogressive
-
is eschewingprogressive
-
have been eschewingperfect progressive
-
has been eschewingperfect progressive
Past
-
eschewedsimple
-
had eschewedperfect
-
was eschewingprogressive
-
were eschewingprogressive
-
had been eschewingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of eschew
1300–50; Middle English eschewen < Old French eschiver, eschever < Germanic; compare Old High German sciuhen, German scheuchen, shy 2
Explanation
If you eschew something, you deliberately avoid it. If you love the hustle and bustle of a big city, then most likely you eschew the suburbs. Eschew comes from a word meaning "dread," or "shun." So to eschew something isn’t simply to avoid it, the way you would avoid walking in a puddle — it's stronger than that. You eschew things that you find morally or aesthetically wrong, or that you have chosen to find wrong. Some people eschew processed food and sugary drinks due to health reasons and others eschew using social media during work in order to stay focused.
Vocabulary lists containing eschew
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This Week in Words: April 1 - 6, 2018
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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.
See Examples For:
While some Americans might eschew leafy greens altogether, others are swarming farmers markets to find locally grown options.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Starting with his 2019 breakthrough “Bait,” he fashions handmade movies that eschew modern filmmaking techniques.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Beijing is often thought to eschew rash decision-making and prioritise patience and gradual gains to secure long-term outcomes.
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
In their day, Dylan and The Beatles challenged each other not only to eschew taking their own inherent greatness for granted, but to accept the risks that being a true artist demands.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026
I was uninjured, and since pride is a Deadly Sin which I feel I generally eschew, absolutely nothing was hurt.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Released by independent Angel Studios, known as a faith-based operation that eschews traditional Hollywood approaches, the film features stars Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis and Mary-Louise Parker and showcases William Franklyn-Mille as Washington.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
In an industry of big personalities, the scion of a Korean shipping family eschews the media and keeps a low profile.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
And she most definitely eschews any modern microloan payment methods like buy-now-pay-later.
From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026
At the forefront is “Pillion,” a provocatively daring film that eschews shock value for real emotion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026
Wisdom pervades each of these, but eschews the various gradations between.
From Riding Recollections, 5th ed. by G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
In response, Netflix has made changes Hastings once eschewed, such as adding an advertising-based tier to the service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
“Plan 75” eschewed dystopian-thriller conventions to ponder how Japan might one day treat its senior citizens, viewing them as little more than a drain on resources.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
Each company’s situation is unique, of course. Amazon.com and Tesla have long eschewed buybacks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
He eschewed the trappings of wealth — driving an eight-year-old Honda — motivated instead by a “desire to compete, excel and keep struggling to do better.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
Ever the independent spirit, Mary eschewed the traditional all-white bridal gown for a shorter white dress with black sequins, topped off with black gloves, black pumps, and a red rose corsage.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Droll and thoughtful, “Wonder Man” is Marvel’s most grounded offering yet, largely eschewing spectacle to focus on the insecurities of a guy who fears he’ll never get his big break.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
“I sat in a small office, eschewing the grand corner-office privilege of previous Chairmen.”
From Barron's ● May 28, 2026
They are seeking “cheap thrills,” the survey found, and eschewing more expensive purchases.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026
Many were on what he calls the "poppier" side, eschewing the foot-stomping, banjo-forward sound of Stick Season.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026
Henceforth, if one aspired to be considered a member of the Himalayan elite, eschewing bottled oxygen was mandatory.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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.
