eluded; eluding

transitive verb

1
: to avoid adroitly : evade
the mice eluded the traps
managed to elude capture
2
: to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of
subtlety simply eludes them
victory continued to elude us
3
: defy sense 2
it eludes explanation
Choose the Right Synonym for elude

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something.

escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

Examples of elude in a Sentence

The killer was able to elude the police. The killer has eluded capture. The cause of the disease continues to elude researchers.
Recent Examples on the Web The simple strategy should push the company to a place of profitability and stability that has eluded so many of its compatriots, industry analysts say — probably as soon as next year. Tom Huddleston Jr.,tasia Jensen, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2024 Indeed, the Dodgers instead displayed a level of character and resiliency that has eluded them the past two postseasons. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 September usually offers college football fans a forceful shakedown, destroying preseason myths and fortifying the teams left standing; ASU eluding that kind of clarity might be its most impressive win of the season. Matthew Self, The Arizona Republic, 16 Sep. 2024 Berry is excellent as a world-weary mother who struggles to prepare her kids for an unforgiving world while still trying to carve out moments of the happiness that has long eluded her. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elude 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin eludere, from e- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elude was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near elude

Cite this Entry

“Elude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elude. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

elude

verb
eluded; eluding
1
: to avoid or escape by being quick, skillful, or tricky
2
: to escape the understanding or grasp of
the explanation eludes me

More from Merriam-Webster on elude

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