ELUDE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'elude' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elude are avoid , escape , eschew , evade , and shun . While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. // what she sees in him eludes me

Q: When can 'avoid' be used instead of 'elude'?

While the synonyms avoid and elude are close in meaning, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. // try to avoid past errors

Q: When would 'escape' be a good substitute for 'elude'?

In some situations, the words escape and elude are roughly equivalent. However, escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. // nothing escapes her sharp eyes

Q: Where would 'eschew' be a reasonable alternative to 'elude'?

Although the words eschew and elude have much in common, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. // a playwright who eschews melodrama

Q: When is 'evade' a more appropriate choice than 'elude'?

The synonyms evade and elude are sometimes interchangeable, but evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. // evaded the question by changing the subject

Q: When could 'shun' be used to replace 'elude'?

While in some cases nearly identical to elude , shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence. // you have shunned your responsibilities

elude

verb

ē-ˈlüd

Definition of elude

as in to evade

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

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How does the verb elude contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elude are avoid, escape, eschew, evade, and shun. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When can avoid be used instead of elude?

While the synonyms avoid and elude are close in meaning, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When would escape be a good substitute for elude?

In some situations, the words escape and elude are roughly equivalent. However, escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

Where would eschew be a reasonable alternative to elude?

Although the words eschew and elude have much in common, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

When is evade a more appropriate choice than elude?

The synonyms evade and elude are sometimes interchangeable, but evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

When could shun be used to replace elude?

While in some cases nearly identical to elude, shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of elude But in the country’s 250th year, many Americans feel the goal, a milestone of adulthood and a marker of financial success, eludes them. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 28 June 2026 There was an active arrest warrant for the man for fleeing and eluding, Tony said, and DNA samples had tied him to multiple other crimes. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2026 Back in the present, Marina leaves Vigo with a clutch of new relationships and an understanding of her own origins that had previously eluded her. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 June 2026 Details of Donkey's origin have long eluded Shrek fanatics, as his character is introduced at the beginning of the series' first film without much backstory to speak of. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elude

Verb

The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Other methods to reduce the harm from sweltering temperatures include more breaks and flexible shifts so workers can avoid the midday sun, according to the WHO.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026
While the morning may feel personal — especially if someone questions your judgment, appearance or direction — avoid treating their feedback (or silence) as rejection.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of avoid

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elucidative

elude

eluded

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“Elude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elude. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of elude

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