: 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
The kind that makes that elusive first win on the PGA Tour seem reachable.
—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
Yet robust economic growth has proved elusive, even as government debt has climbed, leaving successive administrations with little firepower to fix a growing list of related challenges, from crumbling infrastructure to a chronic housing shortage.
—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Paul Dugoni, Silicon Valley Bank’s senior credit analyst, presented financial data from roughly 100 winery clients showing that despite average bottle prices near $75, profitability remains elusive across much of the industry.
—
Michelle Williams,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Adult Swim, the iconic adult animation brand behind Rick & Morty and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, is still seeking out that elusive European project.
—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
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Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
Yet robust economic growth has proved elusive, even as government debt has climbed, leaving successive administrations with little firepower to fix a growing list of related challenges, from crumbling infrastructure to a chronic housing shortage.
—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Paul Dugoni, Silicon Valley Bank’s senior credit analyst, presented financial data from roughly 100 winery clients showing that despite average bottle prices near $75, profitability remains elusive across much of the industry.
—
Michelle Williams,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Adult Swim, the iconic adult animation brand behind Rick & Morty and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, is still seeking out that elusive European project.
—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 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 28 Jun. 2026.
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