dodge

noun \ ˈdäj \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: dodge in a Sentence

Definition of dodge

1 : an act of evading by sudden bodily movement

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

b : expedient

See dodge defined for English-language learners

See dodge defined for kids

Examples of dodge in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of dodge from the Web

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
Rosenstein’s number three, Rachel Brand, had the good sense to get the hell out of dodge after nine months and signed onto an in-house counsel gig with Walmart in February.

— angela helm, The Root, "Head of Russia Probe Says He’s Ready to Go If the President Gives Him the Boot," 14 Apr. 2018
So the passive can be clear and the active can be a dodge.

— The Economist, "The weasel voice in journalism," 24 May 2018
And the reference to the effect of her insult on its targets and bystanders, rather than to its motivation and character, is an old, old dodge — an apology if anyone is insulted by a manifestly insulting statement is no apology at all.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "David Hogg's call for a boycott of Laura Ingraham is in the best tradition of democracy," 2 Apr. 2018
After every election, Americans threaten to get out of dodge -- and 2016 was no different.

— Bloomberg.com, "Here’s How to Actually Live and Work Abroad," 20 June 2017
Transshipments and relabeling aren’t the only trade dodge out there, and China by no means has a monopoly on them.

— keith bradsher, New York Times, "Tariff Dodgers Stand to Profit Off U.S.-China Trade Dispute," 22 Apr. 2018
Activities include trampolines, tumble tracks, basketball hoops, fort building, arts and crafts, dodge ball, tug-of-war and board games.

— wendy killeen, azcentral, "Teacher walkout: Where parents can take kids around Phoenix for camp, daycare," 20 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of dodge

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1575

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

dodge Synonyms

Synonyms

artifice, device, flimflam, gambit, gimmick, jig, knack, play, ploy, scheme, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, trick, wile;

Related Words

bluff, feint;

cheating, chicanery, cozenage, craft, cunning, deception, duplicity, fakery, jugglery, legerdemain, skulduggery (or skullduggery), subterfuge, swindling, trickery;

fraud, hoax, sham, swindle;

blind, front, smoke screen;

Phrases

sleight of hand;

dodge

verb

Definition of dodge

dodged; dodging

intransitive verb

1 a : 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

1 a : 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

See dodge defined for English-language learners

Examples of dodge in a Sentence

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 of dodge from the Web

Hotel staff dodged questions regarding the summit when asked on Sunday.

— joshua berlinger, CNN, "North Korea looms large in Singapore, but China takes front billing," 4 June 2018
Still missing: Clear walkways where pedestrians could stroll from Brickell to Edgewater and back without having to dodge traffic or breathe exhaust fumes.

— rene rodriguez, miamiherald, "More people than ever live in downtown Miami — and they're starting to raise families," 29 May 2018
One of Russia’s richest men, Vekselberg is under intense media scrutiny and spent much of the first two days of the St. Petersburg forum dodging reporters’ questions.

— Washington Post, "Despite sanctions, some Americans still want to do business in Russia," 25 May 2018
The cast and crew of Arrested Development spent five years dodging questions about a movie after its (intended) ending in 2006, before a fourth season was announced in 2011, and a fifth is on its way later this month.

— tom philip, GQ, "Just Let Great TV Shows Die With Dignity," 17 May 2018
Some audience members accused the company leaders of dodging questions.

— eric stirgus, ajc, "Starbucks officials say “failure of leadership” led to controversial arrests," 3 May 2018
Do some homework on your contractor A scam contractor will likely attempt to dodge questions about accreditation, references or past work.

— scott muska, The Courier-Journal, "Don’t get ripped off on roofing work after a major storm," 19 Apr. 2018
The tightened scrutiny on Trump’s allies has angered the president, who has sought to dodge questions of misconduct since entering the White House.

— linley sanders, Teen Vogue, "The FBI Raided Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen's Office," 10 Apr. 2018
Warren, who has been attempting to dodge questions about her 2020 plans for some time now, isn’t particularly surprising.

— andrew rafferty, NBC News, "Flake, Warren stir 2020 speculation on 'Meet The Press'," 12 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of dodge

1680

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

dodge Synonyms

Dodge

biographical name \ ˈdäj \

Definition of Dodge

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

DODGE Defined for English Language Learners

dodge

noun

Definition of dodge for English Language Learners

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

dodge

verb

Definition of dodge for English Language Learners

: 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

DODGE Defined for Kids

dodge

noun \ ˈdäj \

Definition of dodge for Students

1 : a sudden movement to one side

2 : a trick done to avoid something

dodge

verb

Definition of dodge for Students

dodged; dodging

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.

—

dodger

noun

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See words that rhyme with dodge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dodge Spanish Central: Translation of dodge Nglish: Translation of dodge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dodge for Arabic speakers

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dodge

Definition of dodge

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