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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in person
a member of the human race
her coworkers regard her as something of an odd duck
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duck
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The union is calling on state lawmakers to toughen penalties for wage theft or ducking workers compensation and employee taxes.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Today, visitors can still tour its founding castle and its Museum of Arms, stroll its cobblestone streets, and duck into its delicious restaurants serving traditional meals.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duck
Verb
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
The union is calling on state lawmakers to toughen penalties for wage theft or ducking workers compensation and employee taxes.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Neesham dismissed Indian opener Sanju Samson for a brilliant 46-ball 89, which included eight sixes and five boundaries, and also claimed the wickets of Ishan Kishan (54 in 25) and captain Suryakumar Yadav, for a golden duck.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Today, visitors can still tour its founding castle and its Museum of Arms, stroll its cobblestone streets, and duck into its delicious restaurants serving traditional meals.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duck
Verb
-
Set up gentle boundaries during family talks to avoid old loops.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The best approach is simply to avoid the area until cleanup is actually possible.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The story weaves between 14th-century Italy and modern-day, exploring themes of love, divinity, and obsession.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Flush the pests away with a strong stream of water, followed by a damp cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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According to Labor Department data, the pace of growth in fiscal year 2025 dipped slightly from the year before.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Can America’s mom also be a three-dimensional person who makes her own mistakes?—
Whitney Friedlander,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Police released an image captured from a surveillance video showing a person wearing dark clothes and a backpack, with their face covered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Deputies tried to pull the driver over, but the driver instead chose to flee, and during the chase, the driver allegedly turned his headlights off to try and evade deputies, the sheriff's office said.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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About half of China’s oil imports must traverse the strait, and 90% of Iran’s oil supply ends up in China, often via third countries to evade sanctions.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Travelers who have braved the buffet at 9 in the morning have likely had to dodge busy foot traffic while browsing selections.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
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Trump, when pressed, dodges the issue of war aims by pointing to the excellence of the military.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Using his chopsticks, Elijah dunked a dumpling into a tiny bowl of soy sauce.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
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Wilson was hurt while dunking during a non-contact drill Thursday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both the Point Loma Nazarene men’s and women’s basketball teams will be playing in the NCAA Division II West Regionals this week.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are still searching for their three-man chemistry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duck. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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