eschew

Pronunciation: verb. Synonyms: forgo, abjure, renounce

verb

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of eschew

To deliberately avoid, shun, or abstain from something, especially on moral or practical grounds.

Origin of eschew

Language of origin: Old French

Root word: eschiver

Original meaning: to shun, avoid, or dread

How it evolved: The Old French 'eschiver' itself came from a Germanic root, likely related to the Old High German 'sciuhen,' which meant to dread or avoid. Over time, the word came to mean a deliberate and intentional avoidance of something.

Derived from late Middle English, the word traces back to Old French and Germanic roots, originally meaning 'to shun or avoid.'

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember eschew

Think of 'eschew' as sounding like 'achoo'—when you sneeze, you instinctively avoid or shun the source of irritation!

Synonyms for eschew

Antonyms of eschew

  • embrace
  • accept
  • indulge
  • pursue
  • adopt

eschew in a Sentence

  1. The ascetic monk chose to eschew all material comforts in his pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
  2. In an effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, she decided to eschew processed foods and sugary drinks.
  3. The politician skillfully eschewed controversial topics during the debate, focusing instead on her policy proposals.

eschew in Literature & Culture

Eschew appears in classic literature and philosophical texts to convey a sense of moral or principled avoidance, such as rejecting excess, indulgence, or corruption.

Usage Notes

Eschew is often associated with formal or moral avoidance, making it useful for describing abstinence from behaviors or practices. It is less commonly used in casual conversation.

Why eschew Matters for GRE & SAT

Eschew is a frequent GRE word because of its nuanced meaning and its association with moral or deliberate decisions, making it ideal for questions that test precision in vocabulary.

Word Family

eschewal (noun)
The act of avoiding or shunning something.
eschewed (verb)
Past tense of eschew; deliberately avoided.
eschewing (verb)
Present participle of eschew; actively avoiding or shunning.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'eschew' is sometimes confused with 'skew,' but their meanings are entirely unrelated.
  • Philosophers and authors, such as Thoreau, have historically used 'eschew' to advocate for simple living and avoidance of excess.
  • The word often appears in legal and academic writing to describe deliberate abstention from certain actions or practices.

Related Words

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
  • eclipse — overshadow or surpass
  • economy — The system of trade and industry by which the wealth of a country is made and us
  • economy — frugal or effective use of resources or words
  • edify — enlighten or uplift through knowledge; teach
  • efficacious — producing the desired effect; successful