elude

verb

ē-ˈlüd

eluded; eluding

Synonyms of elude next

transitive verb

: to avoid adroitly : evade

the mice eluded the traps

managed to elude capture

: to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of

subtlety simply eludes them

victory continued to elude us

: defy sense 2

it eludes explanation

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Much of what lies far below our feet still eludes us. —

Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025 Perfection continues to elude the Eagles, who as the highest remaining seed in the conference will host the Washington Commanders with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. —

Mike Jones, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Carter charged toward Stafford, who had no chance to elude him. —

Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 In 2004, the Boston Red Sox went into the season coming off a bitter, seven-game defeat to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, adding yet another heartbreak to the team's seemingly endless chase for a World Series title that had eluded the franchise since 1918. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for elude