as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable
the disgraceful ducking of your duties to your family
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in avoiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in dipping
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid
ducked the new camper in the lake as a joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ducking
Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 May 2026
Or tie scolds to the ducking stool again.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.
—PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025
In true TikTok style, however, the song gets a comedic twist in the goofy ducking-out scenario.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
What's your take on this Jeep 'ducking' trend?
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2025
Student leaders, administrators and co-principal Lorena Moreno formed a welcome tunnel near the gate, cheering as students entered — some ducking past the fanfare and others stopping for hugs and greetings.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Now, 25 games and 577 days since the injury that put his career in jeopardy, there was All on the Bengals’ practice fields, cutting and accelerating, extending for receptions and ducking into blocking assignments.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
He was spotted ducking down in a field as traffic passed by and fled before he was found in a small cave, police have said.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 June 2026
Baker was hiding in the grassy area of a field and was seen ducking down as passing traffic approached, Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna said in a press conference shown on Hawaii News Now and reviewed by PEOPLE.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Surveillance video obtained by Fox 13 Seattle showed men ducking behind vehicles and exchanging gunfire in the street as bullets ripped through the neighborhood.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
The noise sent Wang ducking for cover.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Shawn Mendes stuck to his slate gray suit, sans shirt, and gamely posed for photos on the mansion’s steps before ducking down to the basement.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
As the family is photographed, several Aces members come in and pause for a brief hug and coo before ducking quickly out of frame.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
Another man, not involved in the shooting, was seen on video ducking behind his vehicle for cover.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 May 2026
Or tie scolds to the ducking stool again.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.
—PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025
In true TikTok style, however, the song gets a comedic twist in the goofy ducking-out scenario.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
What's your take on this Jeep 'ducking' trend?
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2025
Student leaders, administrators and co-principal Lorena Moreno formed a welcome tunnel near the gate, cheering as students entered — some ducking past the fanfare and others stopping for hugs and greetings.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Now, 25 games and 577 days since the injury that put his career in jeopardy, there was All on the Bengals’ practice fields, cutting and accelerating, extending for receptions and ducking into blocking assignments.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
He was spotted ducking down in a field as traffic passed by and fled before he was found in a small cave, police have said.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 June 2026
Baker was hiding in the grassy area of a field and was seen ducking down as passing traffic approached, Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna said in a press conference shown on Hawaii News Now and reviewed by PEOPLE.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Surveillance video obtained by Fox 13 Seattle showed men ducking behind vehicles and exchanging gunfire in the street as bullets ripped through the neighborhood.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
The noise sent Wang ducking for cover.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Shawn Mendes stuck to his slate gray suit, sans shirt, and gamely posed for photos on the mansion’s steps before ducking down to the basement.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
As the family is photographed, several Aces members come in and pause for a brief hug and coo before ducking quickly out of frame.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ducking
Noun
-
Still, youthful rebellion in virtual reality looks great and the concept of online escapes resonates in an increasingly intense real world.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Located in Tetbury, Calcot Manor & Spa is a Cotswolds escape designed with the whole family in mind.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
There should be visibility into how the AI works, which means avoiding black box solutions.—
Tomas Gorny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
McClary said there has been a surge in Americans coming to his nonprofit group and partners across the country to seek help on managing debt and avoiding bankruptcy and debt collectors.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The footage appears to show the SUV weaving through traffic at high speed.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Between hauling bags up subway stairs, weaving through Penn Station, and occasionally sprinting to the correct track, comfortable footwear is non-negotiable.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Tuesday is expected to be just as hot, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees and overnight lows dipping to around 64.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
-
Wirth suggested that efforts to offset even higher oil prices by dipping into strategic reserves could begin to lose their impact by July.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Ditching grass and dodging HOAs, some homeowners are opting for native lawns.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
8 June 2026
-
When McKenzie asks him how much he’s contributed to the coffers of politicians, his dodging of the question is pure dissembling theater.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She was later arrested on suspicion of evading police and assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, investigators said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Daniels later pleaded no contest to evading a police officer, court records show, in a deal that saw prosecutors dismiss numerous other charges, including second degree burglary of a vehicle and four counts of assault on a police officer.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
From 1967 to 2008, the Seattle Supersonics became known for their green and yellow uniforms along with making the NBA Finals against Jordan and the Bulls while led by Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton and dunking All-Star Shawn Kemp.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
-
The dazzling laser design frames a dunking Michael Jordan.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this year, Cagle told the city council that around half of all bus and light rail riders are not paying their fares, with rail evasion the most common occurrence.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Washington Metro saw fare evasion drop dramatically after similar upgrades.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ducking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ducking. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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