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Definitions

elude

[ih-lood] / ɪˈlud /
VERB
avoid; escape
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffle confound dodge evade flee foil frustrate outrun outwit puzzle shun stall stonewall thwart
STRONG
bilk circumvent ditch double duck eschew fly shirk shuck shy stump
WEAK
be beyond someone beat around the bush cop out get around get away from give the runaround give the slip give wide berth to hem and haw not touch pass the buck pass up run around stay shy of steer clear of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abet aid assist clarify clear up encourage enlighten explain face help meet support
WEAK
attract confront encounter entice invite take on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Answers elude the watchful girl even as Ms. Keegan illuminates each telling detail of the land, of farm life and of adult ways.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open but winning the only major to elude him will be no easy feat with great rival Jannik Sinner standing in his way.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

Prizes may elude Liu this awards season, but she should be in the conversation.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

For a long while, Newsom’s shiftiness seemed to elude his self-perception.

From Slate • Aug. 26, 2025

To elude the exam panic around me, I avoided my schoolmates and stuck to Bright, little suspecting it was he of all people who would shatter my peace.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.