: tending to elude: such as
a
: tending to evade grasp or pursuit
elusive prey
b
: hard to comprehend or define
c
: hard to isolate or identify
elusively
adverb
elusiveness
noun
Examples of elusive in a Sentence
But for all their influence, D.C. lobbyists have failed to attain one elusive goal: public respect.
—
Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002
In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarship—in any field of research—will probably remain an elusive one.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998
His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptographers.
—Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998
This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God Particle.
—Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993
The truth may prove elusive.
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002
In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarship—in any field of research—will probably remain an elusive one.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998
His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptographers.
—Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998
This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God Particle.
—Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993
The truth may prove elusive.
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Recent Examples on the Web
The film, which marks Saxon’s directorial debut, utilizes puppetry, animatronics, matte paintings and 3D animation to tell the story of a shy farm girl named Yuri, who lives in a remote village on the island of Carpathia and was raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Sand Springs plans to keep Searching for the feline's pet parent but is prepared to adopt the cat out to a new home if answers remain elusive.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
However, stability at the sport’s most crucial position remained elusive during head coach Ron Rivera’s four-year tenure.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
As the Chiefs seek this unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat, there are many reasons taking them down has become so elusive.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive 
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Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Sand Springs plans to keep Searching for the feline's pet parent but is prepared to adopt the cat out to a new home if answers remain elusive.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
However, stability at the sport’s most crucial position remained elusive during head coach Ron Rivera’s four-year tenure.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
As the Chiefs seek this unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat, there are many reasons taking them down has become so elusive.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive
Articles Related to elusive
Dictionary Entries Near elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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