: a mode of behavior or thinking adopted to evade unpleasant facts or responsibilities
Example Sentences
She uses humor as an escape mechanism. Football gives him an escape mechanism for his anger.
Recent Examples on the WebBut refusing to be downtrodden and using golf as an escape mechanism, Moore turned her passion into her career. Ben Morse, CNN, 24 Nov. 2020 Regardless of the bacteria’s escape mechanism, the experiment conjures questions about bacteria sophistication. Sophia Chen, Wired, 9 June 2020
Word History
First Known Use
1927, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
escape mechanism
noun
: a mode of behavior or thinking adopted to evade unpleasant facts or responsibilities : defense mechanismsense 1