eluded

verb

Definition of eludednext
past tense of elude
as in evaded
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery the millionaire had been eluding his fair share of taxes for years before getting caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of eluded As America's involvement in the war wound down, the public was faced with the issue of what to do about those men who had eluded military service and were now in legal limbo. — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 4 Jan. 2025 Eric Rudolph, who planted a bomb at the Atlanta Olympics site in 1996, eluded investigators until his capture in 2003. — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 There have been some huge highs under Howe but a league win at the red side of Manchester had eluded his team. — Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eluded
  1. evaded
  2. avoided
  3. escaped
Verb
  • During his time in the White House, Ford started a program granting amnesty to some men who had evaded the draft during the Vietnam War in exchange for 24 months of public service.
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Players gathered around the visitor’s dugout, where coach Jim Mora accepted the trophy, and took in the moment, embracing a feeling that has evaded the program for some time.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Dec. 2024
Definition of evaded
Verb
  • Sweeping, taking out the garbage or even washing your hair should be avoided.
    — Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Washington avoided the direct hit, leaving Orr to land on his back.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of avoided
Verb
  • Oklahoma went into Knoxville and barely escaped with a win over Tennessee.
    — Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Stuffed for no gain, the Steelers turned the ball over on downs but still escaped with a win thanks to six Chris Boswell field goals.
    — Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of escaped

Browse Nearby Words

elude
eluded
eludes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eluded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eluded. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on eluded

Nglish: Translation of eluded for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All