DUCKED Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

ducked

verb

past tense of duck

as in avoided

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery don't try to duck your commitment to spending Thanksgiving with your family by claiming you have to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weaved

to move suddenly aside or to and fro duck behind a pillar before they see us

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dipped

to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid ducked the new camper in the lake as a joke

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ducked All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Final accounting for 2025-26 revenue sharing is still to be completed, but big market clubs are on the hook for bigger bills after seven teams ducked under the luxury tax threshold ahead of the trade deadline. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026 During her October 2025 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly ducked questions on everything from the Epstein files to the decision to prosecute former FBI director James Comey. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 According to prosecutors, Gayden pulled out a knife from her bag and first lunged at the sister, who ducked. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 Malick Yalcouye uses his space just outside the box not to shoot but to draw Pedro Neto and Hato out before slipping a pass through to Gross, who has ducked in behind Palmer. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Even so, the show ducked and dived the long arm of the network fuddy-duddies beautifully, skirting the edge of censorship with a knowing wink, clever pun, and out-of-this-world comedic timing. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Dobbins ducked into the medical tent for several plays before emerging with his helmet on along the sideline. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 In another fun moment, Reese was talking to the media after the tight win over Italy and Clark ducked past her, apologizing for interrupting her interviews. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ducked

Verb

Our weak college presidents have avoided telling the truth for too long.

— Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
That score came after Manning avoided a sack on a fourth down and found Emmett Mosley V for 62 yards to set up the TD pass.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoided

Verb

Take a Fall Hike Galena sits on the southern edge of the Driftless Area, where rivers and rocky bluffs dodged the flattening force of glaciers long ago.

— Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 14 Oct. 2026
Oregon’s Lanning compares UCLA to national champs Oregon coach Dan Lanning dodged questions this past week about the health of quarterback Dante Moore following a brutal hit during a win over USC by trying to focus on UCLA.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of dodged

Verb

Before giving up law completely, Ponder still dipped her toes in the craft, pulling double duty as a trial lawyer by day and moonlighting in projects like Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People by night.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Oct. 2026
Wells Fargo shares dipped 2% Tuesday after the bank reported mixed third-quarter results.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of dipped

Verb

Last year, a Houthi missile evaded Israel’s vaunted air defenses and impacted near Ben Gurion airport.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
State police said evidence was located at the scene which indicated that a 2022 Triumph Rocket 3 GT, operated by 56-year-old Alexander Rivera of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was struck by vehicle that allegedly evaded the scene.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of evaded

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duck

ducked

ducking

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“Ducked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ducked. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ducked

verb

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