: 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
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante embarks on a nationwide quest to find the nation’s most bizarre and dangerous alien sharks – from glowing swell sharks to elusive sawfish – proving the ultimate shark adventure is right here at home.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 June 2026
This week, The Denver Post will take an in-depth, position-by-position look at where the Avs stand, and what the near-term future looks like as this core group of players chases an elusive second championship.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
However, the authors stressed that the new research showed how doctors across the country can use commercial AI systems to speed up their work and help patients get elusive diagnoses, democratizing access to critical medical information.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Collectors seek him out for everything from a rare Egyptian Revival design to a contemporary piece by the elusive maker Theodoros.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
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Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 June 2026
This week, The Denver Post will take an in-depth, position-by-position look at where the Avs stand, and what the near-term future looks like as this core group of players chases an elusive second championship.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
However, the authors stressed that the new research showed how doctors across the country can use commercial AI systems to speed up their work and help patients get elusive diagnoses, democratizing access to critical medical information.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Collectors seek him out for everything from a rare Egyptian Revival design to a contemporary piece by the elusive maker Theodoros.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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