duck 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ducknext
1
as in to avoid
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery don't try to duck your commitment to spending Thanksgiving with your family by claiming you have to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to weave
to move suddenly aside or to and fro duck behind a pillar before they see us

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3
as in to dip
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid ducked the new camper in the lake as a joke

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duck

2 of 2

noun

ˈdək How to pronounce duck (audio)
as in person
a member of the human race her coworkers regard her as something of an odd duck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of duck
Verb
The Thunder traded guards Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, shedding their contracts to try to duck under the NBA’s punitive second-apron threshold. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Soon enough, patrons figured out there was a movie star in their midst and began clamoring to meet him, so Damon ducked behind the bar to hide. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026
Noun
Neil had ducks, pigs, chickens, cows, sheep, and more, most of which are named after friends and costars. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 Officials said a mix of exotic animals, livestock and domestic pets were living on the property, including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese, donkeys, goats and pigs. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duck
  1. avoid
  2. weave
  3. dip
  4. person
  5. evade
  6. dodge
  7. dunk
  8. man
Verb
  • Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat six opponents in the May Democratic primary for governor, winning 56% of the vote and avoiding a runoff.
    — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee is soon marking up healthcare price transparency legislation that could empower patients and employers with the upfront prices needed to avoid overcharges and choose affordable care.
    — Vivian Ho, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • The hotel’s design concept weaves a story around the fictional historic Lamarck University, an homage to the French evolutionary theorist, which was supposedly founded in 1894, then abandoned in the 1940s, and ultimately restored by Marriott.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • For around 20 minutes, the pilot weaved his cheeky confession in clear loops above the Dee estuary, leaving an unmistakable signature in the sky.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of weave
Verb
  • The novel plot is intricately structured and gratifying while the animation — which dips into various styles including impressionism — invites you into an awe-inspiring alternative world.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • Public problems and progress SpaceX shares have dipped below their $135 IPO price for the first time, wiping out more than $1 trillion from the value of Elon Musk's group.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of dip
Noun
  • Fan Fest hits capacity Though it’s been popular, the free experience on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial had never hit its 25,000-person capacity — until today.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Looks like an interesting docu-series, though, maybe especially for those of us who will never go in person.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Definition of person
Verb
  • Prosecutors alleged the companies disguised Chinese aluminum extrusions as pallets to evade antidumping and countervailing duties.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
  • He was detained on August 8, 2025, and charged with DUI, evading arrest with a vehicle, and fleeing from police, according to ICE.
    — Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of evade
Verb
  • Without superpowers or magic to fall back on, heroes had to rely on little more than implausible levels of ingenuity and resilience, a capacity to dodge bullets/laser fire, and a gift for making the right quip at the right time.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 July 2026
  • But Hawaii has largely dodged the insurance crisis that has engulfed the mainland, with premiums near the national average and a 2% decrease projected this year by Insurify.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of dodge
Verb
  • Come for all the doggie high jinks – thanks to a ton of animatronic animals and a John Hughes screenplay – and stay for Close getting dunked in a vat of molasses.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Seattle is led by Dominique Malonga, a 6-foot-6 second-year center, who routinely dunks in pregame warmups and has made a 3-pointer in nine of the 14 games she’s played in this season.
    — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Definition of dunk
Noun
  • Durán Guerrero’s neighbor said the young man, who was headed to work when the shooting happened, lived with his partner and their 3-year-old daughter.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for public assistance in identifying a man, who is accused of robbing a bank in Miami Lakes.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of man

Phrases Containing duck

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duchy
duck
ducked
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Cite this Entry

“Duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duck. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on duck

Nglish: Translation of duck for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about duck

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