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

The image of Collins is in focus, and her delicate features seem lined with suspicion, whereas Glenn’s form is out of focus, giving him an evasive aura. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026

UUVs run quieter, operate at varied depths, and can be programmed for evasive behavior. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Today’s astro-weather encourages us to be emotionally intelligent without being evasive. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

In ever-busier Lisbon, where the term off-season has lost all meaning, a relaxed pace of life can be frustratingly evasive. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 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