as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable
the governor's repeated dodging of tough questions at the press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in circumventing
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 avoiding
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
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Recent Examples of dodging
Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Its defense minister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by about 2 million Ukrainians.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
All combat is close combat, made harder by the fact that running and dodging depletes Shimizu’s stamina quite quickly, leaving her too exhausted to run through maze-like streets and alleyways, or fight off whatever horrible thing is waiting around the next corner.
—Richard Newby, Time, 6 Dec. 2025
And although the modern age of gaming is mostly dominated by a Soulslike ethos of action that prioritizes methodical dodging and plodding, there are many fans who yearn for a return to the heyday of 2000s-era slash ‘em ups.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
However, the court would not expand the receivership to take over any future LLCs the Verrichias might form ― at least not yet, although the court indicated a willingness to revisit the issue should the Verrichias dodging of their creditor continue.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
She was also slammed over how her department is spending the billions of dollars allocated to it by Congress and accused of dodging accountability.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Early in the third period, depth forward Bastian found the game-tying goal, dodging Saros.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Birbiglia keeps asking, and Fleming keeps dodging.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The Rockies’ third baseman/outfielder/DH isn’t dodging his seven-year, $182-million contract.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Not Carolyn artfully dodging the drug allegations!
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
Alternately embracing and dodging comparisons, the younger Buckley rode the wave of notoriety in the downtown Manhattan scene, securing a recording contract and an army of dedicated followers.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
After dodging Guantánamo, Stewart was instructed to report to an ICE detention center in Texas.
—Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Its defense minister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by about 2 million Ukrainians.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
Its defense minister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by about 2 million Ukrainians.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
All combat is close combat, made harder by the fact that running and dodging depletes Shimizu’s stamina quite quickly, leaving her too exhausted to run through maze-like streets and alleyways, or fight off whatever horrible thing is waiting around the next corner.
—Richard Newby, Time, 6 Dec. 2025
And although the modern age of gaming is mostly dominated by a Soulslike ethos of action that prioritizes methodical dodging and plodding, there are many fans who yearn for a return to the heyday of 2000s-era slash ‘em ups.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
However, the court would not expand the receivership to take over any future LLCs the Verrichias might form ― at least not yet, although the court indicated a willingness to revisit the issue should the Verrichias dodging of their creditor continue.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Until Thursday, the global soccer superstar had been equally adept at dodging defenders on the field and political leaders, especially those in his own country of Argentina.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
She was also slammed over how her department is spending the billions of dollars allocated to it by Congress and accused of dodging accountability.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Early in the third period, depth forward Bastian found the game-tying goal, dodging Saros.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Birbiglia keeps asking, and Fleming keeps dodging.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The Rockies’ third baseman/outfielder/DH isn’t dodging his seven-year, $182-million contract.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Not Carolyn artfully dodging the drug allegations!
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
Alternately embracing and dodging comparisons, the younger Buckley rode the wave of notoriety in the downtown Manhattan scene, securing a recording contract and an army of dedicated followers.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
After dodging Guantánamo, Stewart was instructed to report to an ICE detention center in Texas.
—Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodging
Noun
-
Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino, Vlore Located along the picturesque coastline of Vlore, the Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino is another high-end escape, this time with panoramic ocean views.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Demonstrators tried to prevent their escape as Lang threw himself and his goat into the truck.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Post videos of catching them ducking in Statehouse hallways.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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On an episode of Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out podcast from 2024, Birbiglia listens to Fleming tell a story about his childhood habit of perpetually running away from his mother, sprinting off into a rainstorm rather than pragmatically ducking into her car.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump and Vance are now apparently circumventing that existing structure not for public safety, but for politics and power.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The couple also allegedly photographed hundreds of computer screens containing confidential information from Google and Company 2, in what appeared to be an attempt at circumventing digital monitoring tools.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After resolving debt and avoiding Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the always press-averse Ellison departed Hollywood right before the COVID-19 pandemic and largely stayed away for a number of years.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Miller said avoiding commercial terminals is purposefully built into RetrievAir’s business model.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The refusal to answer is itself an answer, at least for fans trained to read Maas’s evasions as meaningful.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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Boston Quality Clean Services owner Jean Brito, 47, of Woburn, faces five counts each of tax evasion and making or subscribing false tax returns for his business.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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We were passed by four out-of-control Harley bikers going 80-90 mph, weaving in and out of steadily moving traffic, while illegally passing cars on the right shoulder for miles.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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Combining his team and their content with Paramount+ is not the same as weaving Showtime into Paramount+ or moving FX over to Hulu.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At an initial court appearance, Vaca pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping a policeman, resisting CHP officers, and evading police.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The remaining charges included unlawful carrying of a weapon, theft, evading arrest, burglary, fraud and unauthorized use of a vehicle.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dodging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodging. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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