Definition of evade
- evaded the real issues
- the simple, personal meaning evaded them
- —C. D. Lewis
The criminals have so far managed to evade the police.
a politician skilled at evading difficult questions
The governor has been accused of evading the issue.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use: 1513
in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
See Words from the same yearavoid, dodge, duck, elude, escape, finesse, get around, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of);
miss;
avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off);
ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out;
foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart;
fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of;
: to stay away from (someone or something) : to avoid (someone or something)
: to avoid dealing with or facing (something)
: to avoid doing (something required)
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for evade Spanish Central: Translation of evade Nglish: Translation of evade for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of evade for Arabic speakers
What made you want to look up evade? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZTest Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ