elude
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for elude, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To avoid or escape someone or something, often through cleverness or luck.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use elude
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
elude capture
elude police
the answer eludes me
Etymology
From Latin eludere, "to trick or dodge" — built from ex- ("out") and ludere ("to play").
Full origin of elude →Frequently asked questions
What does “elude” mean?
The word “elude” means to avoid or escape someone or something, often through cleverness or luck. In plain terms, to slip away from something — whether it's a pursuer, an answer, or a memory.
How do you pronounce “elude”?
“Elude” is pronounced ih-LOOD (/ɪˈlud/ in IPA).
How do you use “elude” in a sentence?
Here is “elude” used in a sentence: “The suspect eluded police for nearly a week.”
What part of speech is “elude”?
“Elude” is a verb.
Where does the word “elude” come from?
The word “elude” comes from Latin. From Latin eludere, "to trick or dodge" — built from ex- ("out") and ludere ("to play").
How many meanings does “elude” have?
“Elude” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to avoid or escape someone or something, often through cleverness or luck.
