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

His latest album, Infinite Black Inside, is a thorough exploration of the ideas—evasive rhythmic switch-ups, jazz melodies, busy textural interactions—that have often lingered in the margins of his more functional output. —H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

In a study testing this theory using 212 recurrent dream reports, 66% contained at least one threat and dreamers typically responded with defensive or evasive behavior. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Caballero followed with a foul fly to left and Grisham scored ahead of David Fry's off-target throw home with an evasive headfirst slide. —Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got married in a literal fortress in Florence, Italy in 2014, at a venue designed to be evasive from intruders during times of war, and photographers still managed to get shockingly clear images. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 9 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