: 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
If confirmed, the finding would rewrite our understanding of this elusive force.
—Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025
Xbox has regularly been doing layoffs to keep things afloat as Microsoft demands for better margins to feed an elusive AI god.
—Fran J. Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The site surveyed 1,006 Americans of various ages and backgrounds about yachting, with the resulting data showing that ocean expeditions are highly desirable yet highly elusive—for this particular group, at least.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025
Just elusive, eclectic and enigmatic action, comedy, sci-fi, horror and thriller films and series from the vanguard of new wave of indie trendsetters and rule breakers.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
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Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025
Xbox has regularly been doing layoffs to keep things afloat as Microsoft demands for better margins to feed an elusive AI god.
—Fran J. Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The site surveyed 1,006 Americans of various ages and backgrounds about yachting, with the resulting data showing that ocean expeditions are highly desirable yet highly elusive—for this particular group, at least.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025
Just elusive, eclectic and enigmatic action, comedy, sci-fi, horror and thriller films and series from the vanguard of new wave of indie trendsetters and rule breakers.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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