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

Investors hear evasive answers in earnings calls. — Mohamed Al Hashemi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Whitehead, who’d praised Jenkins’s adaptation at the podium in Wyoming, was evasive when asked about Ross’s. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Delta pilots performed an evasive go-around maneuver before the Airbus A319 landed safely and passengers deplaned normally, a Delta spokesperson said in a statement. — Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 20 June 2026

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the e-bike rider tried to take evasive action but ended up underneath the truck and was run over. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 19 June 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