Definition of ESCHEW (original) (raw)
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Something to chew on: there’s no etymological relationship between the verbs chew and eschew. While the former comes from the Old English word cēowan, eschew comes instead from the Anglo-French verb eschiver and shares roots with the Old High German verb sciuhen, meaning “to frighten off.” In his famous dictionary of 1755, Samuel Johnson characterized eschew as “almost obsolete.” History has proven that the great lexicographer was wrong on that call, however. Today, following a boom in the word’s usage during the 19th and 20th centuries, English speakers and writers use eschew when something is avoided less for temperamental reasons than for moral or practical ones, even if misguidedly so, as when Barry Lopez wrote in his 2019 book Horizon of ill-fated Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, “with an attitude of cultural superiority, eschewing sled dogs for Manchurian ponies....”
Synonyms
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.
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
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
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.
Tesla has helped spearhead a movement toward a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model in which people buy their vehicles directly from the company, eschewing a dealership. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024 After the machine beeped, the pot was filled with a rich 75-degree-Fahrenheit liquid that barely melted the ice it was poured over, eschewing any bitter notes caused by shocking the brew in ice for a smooth cup with mild grassy notes and the beans' signature wine-y aftertaste. —Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024 All this comes on the heels of much of the fashion world eschewing fur. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024 Campbell eschewed the punt or kick on about 29% of all fourth downs in his first three seasons, while the league average was below 20%. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eschew 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French eschiver (3rd present eschiu) of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off — more at shy
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of eschew was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near eschew
Cite this Entry
“Eschew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eschew. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 19 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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