dodge

noun

\ˈdäj

\

Definition of dodge

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : an act of evading by sudden bodily movement

2a : an artful device to evade, deceive, or trick

dodge

verb

dodged; dodging

Definition of dodge (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to move to and fro or from place to place usually in an irregular course dodged through the crowd

b : to make a sudden movement in a new direction (as to evade a blow) dodged behind the door

2 : to evade a responsibility or duty especially by trickery or deceit

transitive verb

1a : to evade by a sudden or repeated shift of position dodge tacklers

b : to avoid an encounter with celebrities dodging the media

2 : to evade (something, such as a duty) usually indirectly or by trickery dodged the draft by leaving the country dodged questions

dodge a bullet or less commonly dodge the bullet

: to narrowly avoid an unwelcome, harmful, or disastrous outcome or occurrence coastal towns dodged a bullet when the hurricane veered out to sea

Dodge

biographical name

\ˈdäj

\

Definition of Dodge (Entry 3 of 3)

Mary Elizabeth 1831–1905 née Mapes \ˈmāps \ American author

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dodge

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Examples of dodge in a Sentence

Noun

It was just another dodge to get out of working. just another dodge to get out of working in the yard

Verb

He dodged the first punch but was hit by the second. She dodged through the crowds as she hurried home. We dodged between the cars as we raced across the street. They managed to dodge the reporters by leaving through the back exit. She accused him of dodging his responsibilities as a parent.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Older kids can check out the dodge ball courts and there’s an area for kids 4 years and younger. — Wendy Killeen, azcentral, "Indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks and places in Phoenix kids can play and stay cool," 24 May 2018 The debate dodge is not an unusual tactic for incumbents. — Stephen Sorace, Fox News, "House Democrat Tulsi Gabbard dodges debates in home state -- despite demanding them in 2016: report," 1 July 2018 The activities included seminars on fashion and beauty, panel discussions and a celebrity dodge ball game. — Anita Bennett, Fortune, "BET Awards Mulling Move From Los Angeles, Insiders Say (Exclusive)," 27 June 2018 Chi Chi Price opened up the scoring with a heavy cross-body snipe from 15 yards out, off a roll dodge, then Bowen quickly made it 2-0 with a steal in transition and a dish to Zack Swanson. — Brendan Hall, BostonGlobe.com, "BC High hangs on to beat Medfield in boys’ lacrosse," 15 Apr. 2018 Indian actor Salman Khan was found guilty of wildlife poaching and sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday in a decades-long case that has seen the Bollywood superstar dodge multiple prior charges. — Eli Meixler, Time, "Bollywood Star Salman Khan Has Been Convicted of Poaching Protected Antelopes," 5 Apr. 2018 As one scientist points out in Samantha Allen’s Daily Beast story linked above, this can easily slide into a new and ill-sourced iteration of the old Blame The Victim dodge. — Charles P. Pierce, SI.com, "Royals GM Dayton Moore Makes Bizarre and Troubling Choice to Host Anti-Porn Activists," 21 Mar. 2018 GaGa pits are used to play GaGa Ball, which is a less physical form of dodge ball. — Michelle Iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Parents raise $200,000 for new playground equipment at Buckalew Elementary," 6 June 2018 Actress Alexandra Shipp is ready to get out of dodge this summer. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, "A Rising Star in Paris on Acne, Cheese, and Skin Positivity," 29 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Clinton and Patterson are far from the first people to imagine the president as an action hero, dodging bullets and explosions. — Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, "Bill Clinton’s Novel Isn't a Thriller—It's a Fantasy," 16 June 2018 Maybe his leg is just stronger than Jones, but the caromed kicks had players dodging footballs in all sorts of directions. — Jeff Mclane, Philly.com, "Eagles practice observations: Carson Wentz is back (sort of); the first depth chart; Jay Ajayi shines," 22 May 2018 Suckabee did her normal Matrix-style dodging by referring Sanders to the president’s attorneys, The Hill reports. — Stephen A. Crockett Jr., The Root, "Journalist April Ryan to Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Street Politics Only Lead to Catching These Hands," 4 May 2018 In spite of that alienation, or maybe because of it, Kasinger felt comfortable being a fly on the wall in the competition’s practice area, dodging yo-yos left and right. — Laura Mallonee, WIRED, "Enter the Intense World of Competitive Yo-Yoing," 10 Apr. 2018 Lyft’s 2018 presentation, by self-driving car president Nadeem Sheikh, dodged firm deadlines all together. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Home From the Honeymoon, the Self-Driving Car Industry Faces Reality," 13 July 2018 The script dodges many of the cliches that viewers might expect from such a story. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Leave No Trace Is a Shattering, Essential Drama," 28 June 2018 Zimbabwe’s president dodged an apparent assassination attempt ahead of a historic election, and a blast at a rally attended by Ethiopia’s new leader killed one person, rattling politics in two African nations in the midst of major transitions. — Matina Stevis-gridneff, WSJ, "Zimbabwe’s President Survives Apparent Assassination Attempt," 23 June 2018 When Johnson and his son, Muya’s coach Ernest Jr., asked his age, the eager boy dodged. — Bryce Miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Round 1: Will anger, desire spur a young San Diego boxer to spotlight?," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dodge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about dodge

Dictionary Entries near dodge

dodecyl alcohol

Phrases Related to dodge

dodge the draft

Statistics for dodge

Last Updated

18 Sep 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for dodge

The first known use of dodge was in 1575

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More Definitions for dodge

dodge

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dodge

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a clever or dishonest trick done in order to avoid something

dodge

verb

English Language Learners Definition of dodge (Entry 2 of 2)

: to move quickly to one side in order to avoid being hit by (someone or something)

: to move quickly in order to avoid being hit, seen, stopped, etc.

: to get away from or avoid (someone or something) in a skillful or dishonest way

See the full definition for dodge in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dodge

noun

\ˈdäj

\

Kids Definition of dodge

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a sudden movement to one side

2 : a trick done to avoid something

dodge

verb

dodged; dodging

Kids Definition of dodge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to move suddenly aside or to and fro We dodged through the crowd.

2 : to avoid especially by moving quickly dodge a punch

3 : evade I dodged the question.

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