dodges; dodged; dodging
1
a
: to move quickly to one side in order to avoid being hit by (someone or something)
He dodged the first punch but was hit by the second.
dodging traffic
b
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to move quickly in order to avoid being hit, seen, stopped, etc.
She dodged through the crowds as she hurried home.
He dodged [=ducked] behind the bushes.
We dodged between the cars as we raced across the street.
2
: to get away from or avoid (someone or something) in a skillful or dishonest way
She dodged [=evaded] the question by changing the subject.
They managed to dodge the reporters by leaving through the back exit.
She accused him of dodging his responsibilities as a parent.
Many young men tried to dodge the draft [=to avoid being drafted into the military] by leaving the country.
plural dodges
: a clever or dishonest trick done in order to avoid something
It was just another dodge to get out of working.
a tax dodge
Cite this Entry
“Dodge.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dodge. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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