dodge

15 synonyms for dodge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To avoid something by moving quickly out of its way.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

duck scheme

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

evade parry hedge skirt fudge

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

sidestep elude swerve shirk circumvent contrivance stratagem dodging

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To avoid something by moving quickly out of its way.

“The cyclist dodged a pothole and swerved safely around the parked van.”

sidestep duck elude evade swerve shirk parry hedge skirt circumvent fudge

2. noun

A trick or clever way of avoiding something, especially a duty or tax.

“Pretending to be ill was a cheap dodge to avoid the meeting.”

contrivance scheme stratagem dodging

How to use dodge

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

dodge a question dodge traffic tax dodge dodge responsibility

Etymology

Likely from an English dialect verb meaning "to jerk or move suddenly," of uncertain deeper origin.

Full origin of dodge →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dodge” mean?

The word “dodge” means to avoid something by moving quickly out of its way. In plain terms, to avoid something, whether a physical object or an uncomfortable question, usually by quick or clever movement.

How do you pronounce “dodge”?

“Dodge” is pronounced doj (/dɑd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “dodge” in a sentence?

Here is “dodge” used in a sentence: “He dodged the ball just in time.”

What part of speech is “dodge”?

Depending on how it is used, “dodge” can be a verb and a noun.

Is “dodge” a common word?

“Dodge” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dodge” have?

“Dodge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to avoid something by moving quickly out of its way.

What is the difference between 'dodge' and 'avoid'?

To dodge suggests a quick, often evasive move to get out of the way, whether physical or figurative. To avoid is broader and more neutral, meaning simply to keep away from something without implying a sudden manoeuvre.

What is the difference between 'dodge' and 'evade'?

Both mean to escape something cleverly, but 'evade' is more formal and often implies deliberate, ongoing avoidance, as in evading taxes or capture. 'Dodge' tends to be more sudden, more physical, and slightly more informal.

What is a 'tax dodge'?

A tax dodge is a clever scheme for avoiding paying tax. Used as a noun, 'dodge' means a trick or crafty method, and the phrase usually carries a disapproving tone.

Is 'dodgy' related to the word 'dodge'?

Yes, 'dodgy' comes from the same idea and is an informal, mainly British word meaning suspicious, unreliable, or dishonest. Something dodgy seems as though it involves a dodge or trick.

People also searched

scheme duck skirt hedge evade parry fudge dodging circumvent sidestep contrivance swerve

Nearby words

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