elude

What does “elude” mean?

verb.to evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way.

SAT Usage

this verb is often found in contexts involving conflict, survival, or strategic thinking, suggesting a clever or skillful avoidance of danger or pursuit. It emphasizes the element of cunning or resourcefulness, distinguishing it from simpler terms like "escape," which lacks the connotation of skillful evasion.

Common Confusions

Elude implies a clever or skillful avoidance of pursuit, while escape usually suggests a more straightforward or less cunning act of getting away from danger.

Example Sentences

• The thief managed to elude police for three days.

• The suspect attempted to elude from the scene of the crime.

Word Parts: How to Remember “elude”

Break “elude” into its parts: ex- (out of, from). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ex- out of, from (Latin)