as in slippery
hard to find, capture, or isolate
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 elusive
Its definition was always elusive, depending on the source.
—
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 8 July 2025
His campaign slogans of rent freezes, free buses, and universal child care resonated with working families across the five boroughs and especially with historically elusive voters under 40.
—Reshma Saujani, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
It’s made with steel from the United States, nuts and bolts from China, electrical components from Asia and the elusive ceramic insulator from Europe.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Alas, the team staking out the tarmac that night was duped by a stand-in for the elusive terrorist.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 8 July 2025
His campaign slogans of rent freezes, free buses, and universal child care resonated with working families across the five boroughs and especially with historically elusive voters under 40.
—Reshma Saujani, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
It’s made with steel from the United States, nuts and bolts from China, electrical components from Asia and the elusive ceramic insulator from Europe.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Alas, the team staking out the tarmac that night was duped by a stand-in for the elusive terrorist.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
-
The comments are brimming with intrepid flip-flop wearers who have worn these shoes on cruise ships, uneven European sidewalks, slippery hiking trails in Hawaii, and more.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
-
Inspiration is a slippery concept — what resonates deeply with one person might barely register for another.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
And while Riemens had a transient lifestyle and was planning a trip to visit family in Michigan just before his disappearance, finding his truck at a nearby store quickly cast suspicion.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
Spring Hill has the lowest transient guest rate in Johnson County at 4%.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
At the press conference that caps his visit, Schoof is evasive when asked if the Dutch will agree to the 5% goal.—
Adam Rasmi,
Time,
20 June 2025
-
Tahereh is a victim here, but the documentary is evasive in its approach to the central crime.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share