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

Skype is no longer the upstart that refused to put signs on its offices, that dodged international lawyers, and that kept a kiddie pool in the boardroom. — Toivo Tänavsuu, Ars Technica, "“How can they be so good?”: The strange story of Skype," 3 Sep. 2018 The only thing that dodged condemnation would be steamed vegetables, a protein bar, or, a 100-calorie snack bag. — Charlotte Palermino, Bon Appetit, "A French Woman's Guide to Unabashedly Loving Butter," 23 May 2018 First baseman Matt Olson scooped it up 10 feet in front of the bag, then was forced to swipe at a passing Benintendi, who successfully dodged the tag on the edge of the baseline and slid in for an infield single. — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "Sean Manaea Stuns Everyone by No-Hitting Baseball's Best Team," 22 Apr. 2018 Their ire was deepened by an unseemly response from Fico, who dodged questions about Kuciak's reporting and offered a literal stack of cash worth $1.2 million as a reward for information into the murder. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "In the heart of Europe, a brief moment of liberal optimism," 30 Mar. 2018 Smith again found Robinson, who dodged a defender near the goal line for another touchdown. — Terez A. Paylor, kansascity, "Chiefs break hearts again, blow 18-point lead in playoff loss to Titans," 6 Jan. 2018 Desperate to avoid capture, Mr. Park sprinted across a Chinese expressway, dodging speeding trucks. — Eun-young Jeong, WSJ, "A Perilous Journey to Escape Kim Jong Un’s North Korea," 20 Dec. 2018 The variations change the shape of its antigens, allowing it to keep dodging the host’s immune responses. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Ancient DNA reveals the secrets of a devastating European disease," 26 Sep. 2018 Daimler was ordered earlier this month to recall 774,000 vehicles in Europe, though the company dodged having to pay any fines. — Fortune, "Auto Stocks Flop as Daimler Cuts Its Profit Expectations Because of the Brewing U.S.-China Trade War," 21 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.