elusive

adjective

ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
Definition of elusivenext
as in slippery
hard to find, capture, or isolate the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The rescue's latest update shows just how far the once-elusive mustang has come — with Outlaw calmly wearing a saddle for the first time. — Cbs Baltimore, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Bobcats are solitary and elusive, and try to avoid humans, the state said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Hoover’s 2018 novel, Verity, is a gripping mystery where trust is elusive and the line between fiction and reality blurs. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 Walker has been the most elusive player in football by a wide margin. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
  1. slippery
  2. transient
  3. evasive
Adjective
  • Closer still to the falls, the mist is heavy enough to drench the sightseers stopping to gawk at the spectacle from viewing points, or on slippery pathways between the various lookouts.
    — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The technique’s definition is slippery, spanning actors’ deep character study, extreme physical transformations and staying in character for months; some performers reject the label or the practice.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of slippery
Adjective
  • Back in February, Wyandotte County commissioners decided that the local government would direct a portion of its future sales, use and transient guest tax revenues to pay for the Chiefs development.
    — Sofi Zeman October 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Davis, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County already charge a 12% transient occupancy tax, and Measure X would bring Yolo County’s rate in line with those jurisdictions.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • The garbage truck driver took evasive action and avoided a collision.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Companies often overoptimize to say the safest possible thing and end up sounding evasive or inhuman.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of evasive

Browse Nearby Words

elusion
elusive
elutriate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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