evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv How to pronounce evasive (audio)
-ziv,
ē-
: tending or intended to evade : equivocal
evasive answers
evasively adverb
evasiveness noun

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

She gave an evasive answer. They took evasive action to avoid capture.
Recent Examples on the Web Julius, its cultured and evasive Nigerian narrator, takes refuge from stressful shifts as a fellow in psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital by wandering the streets. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023 Instead, such groups offer intentionally ambivalent or evasive statements. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023 But, after six months of e-mails and phone calls and another meeting in Zimbabwe, Wentzel remained evasive. Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 Cruise says this sort of evasive maneuver was built into the vehicle’s software to promote safety, and is required by both California and federal regulators. WIRED, 24 Oct. 2023 The pilot of the JetBlue aircraft took evasive action and initiated a climb-out as the Learjet crossed the intersection. Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023 And in July, an Allegiant Air flight attendant was injured after that plane also took evasive action to avoid hitting a private plane. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2023 Armed Driver Think a stock Jason Statham character: a chauffeur trained in evasive maneuvers to avoid kidnapping and who will escort the client to and from the jet tarmac. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2023 More than a dozen galleries and artists had abetted what investigators characterized as Mr. Ahmad’s evasive tactics, the indictment asserted. Graham Bowley, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evasive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evasive was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near evasive

Cite this Entry

“Evasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evasive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

evasive

adjective
eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv How to pronounce evasive (audio)
-ziv
: tending or meant to evade
gave an evasive answer
evasively adverb
evasiveness noun

Legal Definition

evasive

adjective
eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv, -ziv How to pronounce evasive (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on evasive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!