evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv, 

ē-

: tending or intended to evade : equivocal

evasive answers

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Synonyms of evasive

• elusive

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

She gave an evasive answer.

They took evasive action to avoid capture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Colapinto moved to defend, but with a rapid closing speed, Bearman was forced to take evasive action before slipping onto the grass, losing control of his car and smashing into the barriers. —Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026

Fauci wasn’t being evasive; science was evolving in real time. —David Blumenthal, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026

Pearce took several evasive turns to get away from the officers, including cutting through a Chevron gas station and heading north on 102nd Avenue, according to the report. —David Goodhue march 12, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

In an era of diffuse, evasive conditions — autoimmune syndromes, long Lyme, long Covid — gout is unmistakable. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv

: tending or meant to evade

gave an evasive answer

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Legal Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv, -ziv 

: tending or intending to evade

Note: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(4), an evasive or incomplete answer to an interrogatory or to a question at a deposition is treated as a failure to answer and may be subject to an opponent's motion to compel an answer.

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun