evade

verb

Save Word

\ i-ˈvād

, ē- \

evaded; evading

Definition of evade

intransitive verb

1 : to slip away

2 : to take refuge in escape or avoidance

transitive verb

1 : to elude by dexterity or stratagem

2a : to avoid facing up to evaded the real issues

b : to avoid the performance of : dodge, circumvent especially : to fail to pay (taxes)

c : to avoid answering directly : turn aside

3 : to be elusive to : baffle the simple, personal meaning evaded them— C. D. Lewis

Other Words from evade Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about evade

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for evade

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 evade in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web Many immigrants without legal status, who were increasingly fearful and anxious during the Trump years, upended their daily routines to evade detection, including avoiding driving. — Philip Marcelo, Star Tribune, "Immigrants in sanctuary in churches hope Biden offers relief," 4 Feb. 2021 The body produces interferon beta to fight off viral infections, but the new coronavirus appears to suppress production of the proteins as part of its mechanism to evade patients' immune responses, BBC News reports. — TheWeek, "U.K. begins large trial of new COVID-19 treatment inhaled into the lungs," 13 Jan. 2021 To evade the ban on flying over Saudi Arabia, Qatar rerouted some planes over Iran, providing Tehran with a new source of funds for use of its airspace while the U.S. was working to choke off money flowing to the government. — Dion Nissenbaum, WSJ, "Qatar, Saudi Arabia Set to End Feud That Hampered U.S. Interests," 4 Jan. 2021 Lamb proceeded to catch an out route and evade five tackle attempts on the fourth play from scrimmage for a 71-yard gain. — Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, "Revisiting the past: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb’s rookie season has been full of Oklahoma flashbacks," 22 Dec. 2020 Plus, for this species to evade extinction, experts estimate about 20 births are needed each year. — Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, "Biologists Celebrate the Births of Two Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Calves," 16 Dec. 2020 Throughout last year’s protests and this year’s crackdown, Hong Kongers have been remarkably versatile in their use of language, coining protest slang and inventing code to evade censors. — Dan Kopf, Quartz, "This is the year Hong Kong began speaking the Communist Party’s authoritarian language," 16 Dec. 2020 And while the recent success may bode well for other infectious-disease vaccines, the implications in oncology are less clear because cancer has developed numerous defenses to evade the immune system. — Robert Langreth, Bloomberg.com, "First Covid Vaccines’ Triumph Raises Hope for Cancer Fight," 13 Dec. 2020 And while there seems to be no avoiding the paparazzi on their strolls around the neighborhood, Jonas and Turner have reliably ensured their daughter isn't photographed, covering her stroller with a light blanket to evade the cameras. — Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, "Joe Jonas Was Spotted Taking a Stroll With Daughter Willa," 26 Oct. 2020

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.