elude
verb
ē-ˈlüd 
eluded; eluding
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
- avoid
- dodge
- duck
- escape
- eschew
- evade
- finesse
- get around
- scape
- shake
- shirk
- shuffle (out of)
- shun
- weasel (out of)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The killer was able to elude the police. The killer has eluded capture. The cause of the disease continues to elude researchers.
Recent Examples on the Web She was charged with one count of attempting to elude law enforcement and one count of reckless endangerment, Kennedy said. 
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 8 Aug. 2022 For the time being, though, that thing more precious than gold that each of the treasure hunters was seeking continued to elude them. Washington Post, 2 May 2022 That case began in the thick brush country eight miles from the Rio Grande, in Carrizo Springs, a popular transit point for people trying to elude detection. New York Times, 25 July 2022 Bradford had been charged with first-degree robbery, obstruction of governmental operations, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and third-degree escape, the sheriff’s office said. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 28 June 2022 For most of the movie, Andy and Charlie are on the run, trying to elude the program’s big boss Captain Hollister (Gloria Reuben) and her psychic operative John Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes). Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 Warrants were taken out against him on charges of reckless stunt driving, fleeing and attempting to elude and driving on the wrong side of the road, Lupo said. Henri Hollis, ajc, 4 May 2022 Brown then drives forward in an apparent attempt to elude police as an officer is seen moving out of the way. Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2021 Foster crashed, was handcuffed after a struggle with police, and booked into the Pickens County jail on counts of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and attempting to elude police. al, 8 Dec. 2021 See More
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 8 Aug. 2022 For the time being, though, that thing more precious than gold that each of the treasure hunters was seeking continued to elude them. Washington Post, 2 May 2022 That case began in the thick brush country eight miles from the Rio Grande, in Carrizo Springs, a popular transit point for people trying to elude detection. New York Times, 25 July 2022 Bradford had been charged with first-degree robbery, obstruction of governmental operations, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and third-degree escape, the sheriff’s office said. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 28 June 2022 For most of the movie, Andy and Charlie are on the run, trying to elude the program’s big boss Captain Hollister (Gloria Reuben) and her psychic operative John Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes). Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 Warrants were taken out against him on charges of reckless stunt driving, fleeing and attempting to elude and driving on the wrong side of the road, Lupo said. Henri Hollis, ajc, 4 May 2022 Brown then drives forward in an apparent attempt to elude police as an officer is seen moving out of the way. Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2021 Foster crashed, was handcuffed after a struggle with police, and booked into the Pickens County jail on counts of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and attempting to elude police. al, 8 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin eludere, from e- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous
First Known Use
1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing elude
Kids Definition
elude
verb
i-ˈlüd
eluded; eluding
: to avoid or escape by being quick, skillful, or tricky
eluded
verb
as in evaded
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery the millionaire had been eluding his fair share of taxes for years before getting caught Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- evaded
- avoided
- escaped
- eschewed
- shunned
- prevented
- deflected
- shook
- scaped
- dodged
- eliminated
- finessed
- ducked
- thwarted
- shirked
- precluded
- excluded
- steered clear of
- averted
- obviated
- missed
- circumvented
- stayed clear of
- kept clear of
- fought shy of
- shuffled (out of)
- weaseled (out of)
- parried
- outwitted
- ruled out
- outsmarted
- got around
- foiled
- outfoxed
- diverted
- debarred
- excepted
- bypassed
- frustrated
- banned
- overreached
- warded (off)
- barred
- foxed
- skirted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sought
- pursued
- accepted
- embraced
- caught
- welcomed
- courted
- incurred
- contracted