as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable
the disgraceful ducking of your duties to your family
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in avoiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in dipping
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid
ducked the new camper in the lake as a joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ducking
PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025
In true TikTok style, however, the song gets a comedic twist in the goofy ducking-out scenario.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
What's your take on this Jeep 'ducking' trend?
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2025
Student leaders, administrators and co-principal Lorena Moreno formed a welcome tunnel near the gate, cheering as students entered — some ducking past the fanfare and others stopping for hugs and greetings.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025
Admittedly, there would be no upside in ducking the question.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Near the scene, a Muskego police officer directing traffic from Quietwood Drive onto Woods Road kept ducking in and out of his patrol car to stay warm.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
To make things worse, Monty’s accountant, Alan, is ducking Cami’s calls.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025
One flash grenade exploded just a foot away from him, said the alderman, who represents Chicago’s 22nd ward, sending him ducking for cover.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Take the train from Copenhagen in under three hours and wander Aarhus’s pretty streets strung with Christmas lights, ducking into boutiques and cafés before making your way to one of two Christmas markets.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
For a moment, Smith became overwhelmed, ducking to the side of the pillar while wiping tears away.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
While on The Tonight Show, Swift appeared shy when discussing the song’s lyrics, ducking her head down as the house band the Roots began playing a sensual tune.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.
—Verb
Midday was for ducking into a family-run lodge for miso ramen or chicken katsu, the kind of spot where the windows fog up and the air smells of rich broth.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for ducking
Noun
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Christie Brinkley is soaking up the sun on a tropical escape.—
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Whether you’re drawn to whitewater rafting, interested in the trails or looking for an escape from urban Charlotte, the Whitewater Center deserves a look.—
Verb
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Like similar faux fur styles, the brand recommends avoiding frequent washing to maintain their plush texture.—
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Cutting down on caffeine after lunchtime, avoiding (or limiting) naps, and engaging in a relaxing bedtime routine can all aid in the process too—as will patience.—
Verb
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Each program looks at specific themes by weaving together various stories, poems and sometimes music.—
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Guests are also encouraged to organically spotlight their own beauty, beverage or lifestyle brands during the episode, weaving commerce into the format without overt ad breaks.—
Verb
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After Amabile said Medicaid and behavioral health programs would be cut, other Democrats wondered about dipping further into the state’s reserves to backfill the shortfall and avoid cutting social services.—
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Once it was plated, Ortiz urged me to karate-chop it, producing decadent cheese crisps for dipping into guacamole.—
Noun
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All combat is close combat, made harder by the fact that running and dodging depletes Shimizu’s stamina quite quickly, leaving her too exhausted to run through maze-like streets and alleyways, or fight off whatever horrible thing is waiting around the next corner.—
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And although the modern age of gaming is mostly dominated by a Soulslike ethos of action that prioritizes methodical dodging and plodding, there are many fans who yearn for a return to the heyday of 2000s-era slash ‘em ups.—
Verb
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The Union City man who was allegedly driving the getaway vehicle was also booked on suspicion of evading police with disregard to public safety and fleeing police in opposite lanes of traffic.—
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Until now, the plaintiffs had effectively accused Wexner of evading service.—
Verb
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And from the looks of it, Jenner may already be over dunking her face for TikTok—and in general.—
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These cookies come out crisp and crunchy – perfect for dunking in milk or coffee.—
Noun
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And the Iranian elite with connections to the state, particularly those linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, profited from sanctions evasion.—
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Convicted of draft evasion, he was sentenced to five years in prison but remained free while appealing the case.—
Cite this Entry
“Ducking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ducking. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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