as in ruses
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
just another dodge to get out of working in the yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in circumvents
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
always trying to dodge the landlord's rule prohibiting pets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in evades
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
dodged the horde of paparazzi by leaving through the service entrance
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 dodges
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The former is what the first game had, and is more meant for short-range dashes and dodges.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
There’s a lot of common dodges and evasions.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Each character has a base suite of moves including light and heavy attacks, dodges or blocks (depending on the hero), and special moves that expend a stamina meter.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
White, however, dodges, aiming toward clever.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
If someone dodges your requests, try asking a clarifying question to avoid hidden assumptions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … CROWN IN CHAOS – Andrew dodges police probe but King Charles’ Epstein ‘nightmare’ isn’t over.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Flipping her hair and writhing around in pain and ecstasy, the singer dodges plates and cutlery that fly at her face while battling mysterious, paranormal forces that throw her around.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
On the transgender issue, Earle-Sears has attacked Spanberger over the inclusion of transgender-identifying biological males in women’s sports, restrooms, and locker rooms as the Democratic candidate dodges the subject and says the issue should be handled locally.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
Stacey, in true Rusch fashion, dodges the question.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
There's also knee slides, double jumps, and quick-dodges in all directions.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The former is what the first game had, and is more meant for short-range dashes and dodges.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
There’s a lot of common dodges and evasions.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Each character has a base suite of moves including light and heavy attacks, dodges or blocks (depending on the hero), and special moves that expend a stamina meter.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In his description of the Gettys, Newsom reminds me of Tom Wambsgans, of HBO’s Succession, who marries into the powerful Roy family and only narrowly dodges being made the fall guy for a corporate scandal, because a son-in-law is not as important as a son.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
White, however, dodges, aiming toward clever.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
If someone dodges your requests, try asking a clarifying question to avoid hidden assumptions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … CROWN IN CHAOS – Andrew dodges police probe but King Charles’ Epstein ‘nightmare’ isn’t over.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Flipping her hair and writhing around in pain and ecstasy, the singer dodges plates and cutlery that fly at her face while battling mysterious, paranormal forces that throw her around.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
On the transgender issue, Earle-Sears has attacked Spanberger over the inclusion of transgender-identifying biological males in women’s sports, restrooms, and locker rooms as the Democratic candidate dodges the subject and says the issue should be handled locally.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
Stacey, in true Rusch fashion, dodges the question.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodges
Noun
-
The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the play weaves through time, the focuses on the actions done for the benefit of Joe’s family, and his wife Kate’s moral compass, creating brutal conflicts.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The eight-part show written by Pickett from Drama Republic (Riot Women, One Day) is set in the heart of Tudor England against the backdrop of Anne Boleyn’s arrest and weaves royal scandal with rural struggle.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Moscow is at the mercy of an American president who circumvents traditional channels of power and obliterates the constraints that once regulated their use.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Today’s staged raid reinforces our conviction that this investigation distorts French law, circumvents due process, and endangers free speech.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An all-cash purchase avoids scrutiny from financial institutions and evades mandatory reporting.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Experts who spoke to Flow Space are hopeful that these new approvals will provide the necessary tools to treat a disease that evades treatment by constantly mutating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
According to an indictment unsealed in Manhattan , founder and CEO Daniel Chu and COO David Goodgame allegedly carried out fraudulent schemes from at least 2018 through September 2025.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
With Parker coming in wanting to play a variety of defensive schemes, Clowney’s body type is somewhat of an issue.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the video, the subject ducks his head in the opposite direction of the doorbell camera.—
Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The sun ducks down and sets Conejo Mountain against warm pinks and purples, transforming the ridgeline into an epic silhouette.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Icy Tones Erica Volkmer, the founder of Evenson Design in Austin, Texas, avoids colors with icy tones, such as cool blues and ash tones grays, in the kitchen.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The end of Duke-Michigan will also overlap with NBC’s nightly Primetime in Milan presentation, though the hoops game avoids any heavy-hitting events with bobsled slotted for the first 30 minutes.—
Molly Geary,
Sportico.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But, when a zombie escapes a nearby military base, Dave, Miss Caroline, and a popular children's television host (Josh Gad) must band together to protect the young and fight off the walking dead.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Come prepared for the weather, plan your indoor escapes and get ready for an unforgettable World Cup experience!—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dodges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodges. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
