DUCKING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

ducking 1 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ducking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of duck

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weaving

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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 ducking

Noun

Body-camera video released after the July 6, 2024, shooting showed Massey ducking and apologizing moments before Grayson fired three shots inside the home. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Another man, not involved in the shooting, was seen on video ducking behind his vehicle for cover. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 May 2026 Or tie scolds to the ducking stool again. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026 Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack. — 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

Verb

Paxton has so far failed to hold large campaign events and is ducking debates. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Store employees are seen ducking for cover as more shots are fired. — Aziza Shuler, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The masked person, carrying a distinctive blue plaid backpack, was last seen ducking into the SEPTA metro train’s Suburban Station. — David K. Li, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 Coming up, the mounting questions about that elaborate ruse that had the president ducking into a catering truck to switch planes. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Larkin has used Moskowitz’s refusal to appear with him to accuse the reelection-seeking congressman of ducking debates and avoiding the voters. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 To win a second four-year term, Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins is running as a fighter against bad development and against ducking tough decisions. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Gardner described various efforts by the Coliseum body — formally called the Joint Powers Authority — to discuss the Roots’ outstanding debt, accusing team officials of ducking those communications. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 The route is winding and rolling, ducking inland through forest and prairie before curving back to hug the lake’s shoreline, with lots of turnoffs to stop and take in the views. — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ducking

Noun

Na Praia won’t be open until summer 2027, but the proprietors of the beloved pastoral escape that is São Lourenço do Barrocal east of Comporta are promising an exquisite new offering of suites, houses, and villas nestled into the dunes themselves.

— Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet through the Himalayas; a smokejumper designed a special high-altitude parachute to drop three hundred thousand Indian rupees to his escape party.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Officials annually emphasize boating safety, wearing life jackets and being aware of conditions, especially rip currents, and avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages when venturing out on the water.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoiding

Verb

After dipping its toes into beauty, Old Navy has refined its strategy and is gearing up for a nationwide rollout.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Treasury yields have also weighed on stocks, with the 30-year bond yield climbing to a 19-year high last week before dipping back down.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dipping

Noun

China appears to be the main culprit behind the tariff dodging, processing exports through more than 40 other countries, according to the report.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed a surge in shoplifting and subway fare-dodging.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of dodging

Verb

Prosecutors allege Reyes-Vargas has six prior convictions for bad or dangerous driving, including a DUI conviction, evading police, and engaging in a speed contest.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
The father-daughter duo has set up shop ensconced in the woods, herding donkeys and so far evading the violence closing in on them from the outside.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of evading

Verb

McClung prioritizes other aspects of the game before working on his dunks, but the Dunkman league primarily consists of athletes who focus on dunking.

— Jason Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
What to serve with pickle dip Set out planks of carrots, cucumbers, and radishes for dunking.

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of dunking

Noun

Grossman, the attorney representing Ream and Morris in the two cases, agrees that there was massive tax evasion when the ban was passed.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Last December, Galvan admitted paying the bribe and pleaded guilty to one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of evasion of tax assessment.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of evasion

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ducked

ducking

ducks

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Style

“Ducking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ducking. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ducking

noun

verb

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