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elude

verb
\ ē-ˈlüd How to pronounce elude (audio) \
eluded; eluding

Definition of elude

transitive verb

1 : to avoid adroitly : evade the mice eluded the traps managed to elude capture
2 : to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of subtlety simply eludes them victory continued to elude us
3 : defy sense 2 it eludes explanation
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about elude

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Choose the Right Synonym for elude

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. nothing escapes her sharp eyes avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. try to avoid past errors evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. evaded the question by changing the subject elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. what she sees in him eludes me shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence. you have shunned your responsibilities eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. a playwright who eschews melodrama

Examples of elude in a Sentence

The killer was able to elude the police. The killer has eluded capture. The cause of the disease continues to elude researchers.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The two managed to elude authorities amid a nationwide manhunt that involved multiple law enforcement agencies. — Fox News, "Canadian manhunt killers recorded 'last will and testament' on phone before killing themselves," 21 Aug. 2019 Meshkini reportedly made it as three separate short films, in order to elude the system of official censorship that governed features but not shorts. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "What to Stream: The Astonishing Iranian Film “The Day I Became a Woman”," 16 Aug. 2019 Although the painting’s lone subject, a blonde woman clad in a red dress and black heels, looks directly at the viewer, her gaze seems to elude, reinforcing the sense of alienation endemic to the artist’s oeuvre. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Thanks to the Hopper Hotel Experience, You Can Now Spend a Night at the Museum," 16 Aug. 2019 Prosecutors issued a statement on Monday saying a motive for the killing continues to elude investigators. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "NH Man, 79, Charged With Murdering 74-Year-Old Wife: 'They've Always Been Nice'," 13 Aug. 2019 How was Chadwick able to elude those trying to find him for so long? — CBS News, "Peter Chadwick caught: Fugitive murder suspect goes from real estate millionaire to bussing tables during years on the run," 10 Aug. 2019 He has been convicted of burglary twice, being a felon in possession of a firearm twice, trying to elude police three times and stealing motor vehicles eight times, according to court papers. — oregonlive.com, "Defendant punches Portland prosecutor right after jury finds him guilty, witnesses say," 2 Aug. 2019 EBay said the Amazon managers trained employees how to create fake eBay accounts, told them which merchants to target, and taught them how to spell out external emails in a manner to elude detection. — Fortune, "EBay Sues Amazon Employees for Alleged ‘Racketeering Scheme’," 1 Aug. 2019 EBay said the Amazon managers trained employees in how to create fake EBay accounts, told them which merchants to target and taught them how to craft external emails in a manner to elude detection. — Spencer Soperbloomberg, Los Angeles Times, "EBay accuses Amazon managers of conspiring to lure away its top sellers," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of elude

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for elude

Latin eludere, from e- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

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More Definitions for elude

elude

verb
How to pronounce elude (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of elude

: to avoid or escape (someone or something) by being quick, skillful, or clever
: to fail to be understood or remembered by (someone)
: to fail to be achieved by (someone)

See the full definition for elude in the English Language Learners Dictionary

elude

verb
\ i-ˈlüd How to pronounce elude (audio) \
eluded; eluding

Kids Definition of elude

: to avoid or escape by being quick, skillful, or tricky

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WORD OF THE DAY

debilitating

play

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