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

b : expedient

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

Other Words from dodge Synonyms 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

Enemy clarity is no small thing to lose during high-level combat, when a single bad dodge could be the difference between victory and loot-annihilating defeat. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Diablo 3, Untitled Goose Game lead PAX West’s Nintendo Switch lineup," 4 Sep. 2018 Now, the tool includes upcoming holiday and school breaks—think Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, and spring break—to provide destination inspiration, and make getting out of dodge even easier. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Google Wants to Plan Your MLK and Presidents’ Day Weekends," 17 Dec. 2018 Matthews points out that this is clearly a dodge: As a DC Circuit judge, Kavanaugh has to honor the precedent of the Supreme Court. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Even most Republicans want to keep Roe v. Wade," 24 July 2018 At school, while other kids were playing dodge ball or skipping. — Kate Storey, Good Housekeeping, "Marie Kondo Reveals a Nervous Breakdown Led to Her Joy Method," 5 Jan. 2016 The pressure for the US to sanction Riyadh intensified after the Saudi government finally admitted last Friday that Khashoggi had been killed in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, after weeks of dodges and denials. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "The US will revoke visas for Saudi suspects in Jamal Khashoggi’s killing," 24 Oct. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Despite the challenges, Alonso deftly dodged the danger to grab another victory in a bucket-list event. — Jenna Fryer, The Seattle Times, "Alonso anchors victory in first Rolex 24 stopped for rain," 28 Jan. 2019 While federal action on climate change is unlikely anytime soon, even the president of the United States can’t dodge the question. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Climate and energy news in 2018 actually wasn’t all bad," 1 Jan. 2019 Immigrants apprehended at the border can dodge immediate deportation by seeking asylum. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Chief Justice and the President," 27 Dec. 2018 By picking Kyl, Ducey dodged tough political decisions that could have complicated his own re-election bid. — Terry Tang, The Seattle Times, "Martha McSally to fill McCain Senate seat after losing race," 19 Dec. 2018 During Kavanaugh's hearing on September 27, the judge dodged some questions and answered others about his drinking habits. — Jewel Wicker, Teen Vogue, "One of Brett Kavanaugh's Yale Classmates Says His Drinking Testimony Was a "Blatant Mischaracterization"," 1 Oct. 2018 Cain dodged an earlier criminal conviction only to make the fateful mistake of getting mixed up with FourWinds. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Uresti’s co-defendant set to be sentenced," 27 June 2018 One update that absolutely differentiates Smash Ultimate from Smash 4 has not been lost on pro players: an improved suite of dash options, which now includes directional air-dodging and dash-canceling. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Smash Bros. Ultimate review: The best fighting game on any Nintendo system," 6 Dec. 2018 She’s driven herself literally sick from dodging Kevin’s questions and pushing away her past. — Candice Frederick, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Is Us Reveals Zoe’s Heartbreaking Trauma," 14 Nov. 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.