eluded; eluding
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
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
Fedotov had some decent games from time to time, but consistency eluded him.
—
Scott Powers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
But one can’t—women especially can’t—elude embodiment and entanglement in the end.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
But a cinematic homecoming that has eluded him over his career.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
Baylor becomes the first team in NCAA history to win 40 games.
2017 — Justin Jackson delivers the go-ahead three-point play and North Carolina scores the last eight points for a 71-65 win over Gonzaga and an NCAA title that heartbreakingly eluded the Tar Heels last year.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elude
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Scott Powers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
But one can’t—women especially can’t—elude embodiment and entanglement in the end.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
But a cinematic homecoming that has eluded him over his career.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
Baylor becomes the first team in NCAA history to win 40 games.
2017 — Justin Jackson delivers the go-ahead three-point play and North Carolina scores the last eight points for a 71-65 win over Gonzaga and an NCAA title that heartbreakingly eluded the Tar Heels last year.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elude
Cite this Entry
“Elude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elude. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elude
verb
eluded; eluding
1
: to avoid or escape by being quick, skillful, or tricky
2
: to escape the understanding or grasp of
the explanation eludes me
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