# evasion

/iˈveɪʒən/ (US) · /ɪvˈeɪʒən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/evasion
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the act of avoiding something you are supposed to do, like paying taxes or answering a question. It often means being clever or dishonest to escape a duty.

For teachers: the act of avoiding or escaping something through deceit or cleverness. Frequently refers to the illegal non-payment of taxes or the avoidance of direct answers in discourse.

## Examples

- He was arrested for tax evasion.
- The politician's constant evasion of the reporter's questions made the audience suspicious of his motives.
- The company's complex network of offshore accounts was designed for the sole purpose of tax evasion, leading to a massive federal investigation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "tax avoidance" but "tax evasion" — In legal contexts, 'avoidance' is the legal use of the regime to one's advantage, whereas 'evasion' is the illegal non-payment of taxes.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general practice; countable when referring to specific instances of avoiding something.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.