What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evacuate
Example
The government ordered the residents to evacuate the area due to the approaching hurricane. [evacuate: verb]
Example
The firefighters quickly evacuated the building when they detected smoke. [evacuated: past tense]
flee
Example
The villagers had to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the region. [flee: verb]
Example
She fled from the party after an argument with her friend. [fled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Evacuate is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as news reports or official statements, while flee is more commonly used in everyday language to describe personal experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evacuate and flee?
Evacuate is considered more formal than flee, which is often used in informal or emotional contexts.
