Definitions

eluded

[ih-loo-did] / ɪˈlu dɪd /

VERB

avoid; escape

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffle confound dodge evade flee foil frustrate outrun outwit puzzle shun stall stonewall thwart

STRONG

bilk circumvent ditch double duck eschew fly shirk shuck shy stump

WEAK

be beyond someone beat around the bush cop out get around get away from give the runaround give the slip give wide berth to hem and haw not touch pass the buck pass up run around stay shy of steer clear of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet aid assist clarify clear up encourage enlighten explain face help meet support

WEAK

attract confront encounter entice invite take on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even he admitted that in the months after earning the green jacket that had eluded him for so long, he “felt a little flat on the golf course.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

What appears to have eluded voters is that the can has not budged in more than a decade.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

And it helped that the Lakers were completely healthy against the Kings, something that has eluded them nearly all season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

"An understanding eluded the parties this time. I am sure we are, quite understandably, feeling a strong sense of frustration," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Gabe tried to remember its name; he could picture Nathaniel's sister laughing when she had told it to him, but the whimsical name eluded him.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry