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
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
Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025
Admittedly, there would be no upside in ducking the question.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Near the scene, a Muskego police officer directing traffic from Quietwood Drive onto Woods Road kept ducking in and out of his patrol car to stay warm.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
To make things worse, Monty’s accountant, Alan, is ducking Cami’s calls.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025
One flash grenade exploded just a foot away from him, said the alderman, who represents Chicago’s 22nd ward, sending him ducking for cover.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Take the train from Copenhagen in under three hours and wander Aarhus’s pretty streets strung with Christmas lights, ducking into boutiques and cafés before making your way to one of two Christmas markets.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
For a moment, Smith became overwhelmed, ducking to the side of the pillar while wiping tears away.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
While on The Tonight Show, Swift appeared shy when discussing the song’s lyrics, ducking her head down as the house band the Roots began playing a sensual tune.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Midday was for ducking into a family-run lodge for miso ramen or chicken katsu, the kind of spot where the windows fog up and the air smells of rich broth.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025
Admittedly, there would be no upside in ducking the question.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Near the scene, a Muskego police officer directing traffic from Quietwood Drive onto Woods Road kept ducking in and out of his patrol car to stay warm.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
To make things worse, Monty’s accountant, Alan, is ducking Cami’s calls.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025
One flash grenade exploded just a foot away from him, said the alderman, who represents Chicago’s 22nd ward, sending him ducking for cover.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Take the train from Copenhagen in under three hours and wander Aarhus’s pretty streets strung with Christmas lights, ducking into boutiques and cafés before making your way to one of two Christmas markets.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
For a moment, Smith became overwhelmed, ducking to the side of the pillar while wiping tears away.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
While on The Tonight Show, Swift appeared shy when discussing the song’s lyrics, ducking her head down as the house band the Roots began playing a sensual tune.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ducking
Noun
-
In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable and even scary, cozy romances offer the perfect escape.—
Emilia Emerson,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The 60 rooms and nine suites are bright and breezy, perfect for an island escape in the city.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Managing heartburn is more effective by eating smaller portions and avoiding late night meals.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has done a great job of avoiding interceptions throughout this season.—
Steve Megargee,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The debate over lasting solutions reveals the complexity of how criminal organizations have grown so powerful, weaving themselves into nearly every layer of Brazilian society over time.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
What results is a familiar historical drama, weaving together many various characters in the buildup to the climactic courtroom showdown.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As the cold front on Saturday sweeps through, expect a rapid cool down to occur with temperatures dipping from around 60 degrees to around 30 degrees by the end of Sunday.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
At night, temperatures are expected to remain low, dipping into the 40s.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges, including one count of a violation of bond — protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Authorities told Fox News Digital Prokop faces four misdemeanor charges — one count of violation of bond or protective order, one count of evading arrest or detention and two counts of resisting arrest, search or transportation.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the major contributors has been 6-foot-3 junior guard Johnny Thyfault, who’s averaging 16 points and has become a fan favorite because of his dunking skills.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Jacob Wilkins, Dominique’s 19-year-old son, is a 6-foot-9 freshman forward for the Bulldogs known for similar off-the-charts athleticism and dunking prowess.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After the 1994 season, he was charged with tax evasion.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Strawberry was indicted for tax evasion and pleaded guilty in 1995 to a felony charge for failing to report $350,000 in income from autograph signings, personal appearances and memorabilia sales.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ducking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ducking. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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