dodge

¹

[ doj ]

verb (used with object)

, dodged, dodg·ing.

1. to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy:

   to dodge a blow; to dodge a question.

   Synonyms: avoid

2. Also hold back. Photography. (in printing) to shade (an area of a print) from exposure for a period, while exposing the remainder of the print in order to lighten or eliminate the area (sometimes followed by out ). Compare burn ¹( def 47 ).

verb (used without object)

, dodged, dodg·ing.

1. to move aside or change position suddenly, as to avoid a blow or get behind something.
2. to use evasive methods; prevaricate:

   When asked a direct question, he dodges.

   Synonyms: quibble, equivocate

noun

1. a quick, evasive movement, as a sudden jump away to avoid a blow or the like.
2. an ingenious expedient or contrivance; shifty trick.
3. Slang. a business, profession, or occupation.

Dodge

²

[ doj ]

noun

1. Mary Elizabeth, 1831–1905, U.S. editor and author of children's books.

dodge

/ dɒdʒ /

verb

1. to avoid or attempt to avoid (a blow, discovery, etc), as by moving suddenly
2. to evade (questions, etc) by cleverness or trickery
3. intr Leisure:Bell-ringing to make a bell change places with its neighbour when sounding in successive changes
4. tr photog to lighten or darken (selected areas on a print) by manipulating the light from an enlarger

noun

1. a plan or expedient contrived to deceive
2. a sudden evasive or hiding movement
3. a clever contrivance
4. Leisure:Bell-ringing the act of dodging

Other Words From

• out·dodge verb (used with object) outdodged outdodging
• un·dodged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dodge¹

First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of dodge¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Unlike commercial antibiotics, phages evolve alongside their bacterial hosts, dodging and parrying the bacterial response so that for every pathogen, there’s likely a bacteriophage, somewhere, that eats it.

From Salon

Tapper asked Johnson, who smirked before dodging the question.

From Salon

Worst of all, she habitually dodged questions, offering banal, scripted, unmemorable answers that reinforced the impression that she was weak and lacked the courage of her convictions.

From Salon

Trump has dodged it, saying he wouldn’t have to use military force because Xi knew he was “crazy”, and he would impose paralysing tariffs on Chinese imports if that happened.

From BBC

While his longtime associate Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison, Gaetz ultimately dodged an indictment because of doubts about the credibility of witnesses at the center of the allegations.

From Los Angeles Times