elude
1 of 1verb/ɪ.ˈlud/
Forms:eludes,eluding,eluded,eluded
1
to cleverly avoid or escape from someone or something
transitive- The criminal skillfully eludes the police, disappearing into the crowded city.
- Efforts to capture the rare bird proved challenging as it consistently eluded ornithologists.
- The prey will manage to elude the predator by swiftly navigating through the dense forest.
- The cat's playful antics will allow it to elude the grasp of its owner during the game.
- The fugitive skillfully eluded law enforcement by changing identities and locations.
2
to avoid obeying a law or escaping a penalty
transitive- The company found ways to elude environmental regulations, despite the law.
- He skillfully eluded the penalty by claiming a technicality in the law.
- The suspect tried to elude arrest by fleeing to another country.
- The organization found a loophole to elude financial penalties for violations.
- Despite multiple warnings, the driver managed to elude a fine by avoiding the toll road.
3
to be unable to understand something, such as a piece of information, idea, fact, etc.
transitive- The solution to the puzzle continued to elude him, no matter how hard he tried.
- The details of her dream eluded her when she woke up.
- The meaning of the ancient text eluded the scholars for years.
- The answer to the riddle seemed to elude everyone in the room.
- The name of the actor eluded her, even though she was sure she had seen him before.
Synonyms:
4
to remain unattainable or beyond reach
transitive- The championship title eluded the team for years, despite their hard work.
- Financial stability had always eluded the small business owner.
- The perfect job opportunity continued to elude him.
- Despite training for months, the gold medal still eluded the athlete.
- Happiness had long eluded him, leaving him feeling empty and dissatisfied.