evasive

eva·sive | \ i-ˈvā-siv

How to pronounce evasive (audio)

, -ziv, ē- \

Definition of evasive

: tending or intended to evade : equivocal evasive answers

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Examples of evasive in a Sentence

She gave an evasive answer. They took evasive action to avoid capture.

Recent Examples on the Web Since neither of us had to dream up evasive answers, both of us easily figured out the murderer’s identity. — Vanessa Hua, SFChronicle.com, "Lessons from a murder mystery party game," 6 Jan. 2020 Those who have followed her arrests said the success of her evasive maneuvers depends on her ability to blend into a crowd as a seemingly harmless, elderly white woman. — Christina Maxouris, CNN, "'Serial stowaway' was arrested again for trying to board a flight in Chicago with no travel documents," 13 Oct. 2019 The Highlander also outgripped the Pilot, giving a slightly larger measure of security for evasive maneuvers. — Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, "2020 Honda Pilot vs. 2020 Toyota Highlander: Three Rows and $50,000," 25 Mar. 2020 Officers spoke with the driver who was evasive with her answers. — cleveland, "Loud car muffler reported: Bay Village Police Blotter," 21 Mar. 2020 As the missile enters the enemy’s defensive zone, NSM flies a series of evasive maneuvers to avoid incoming fire. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Navy and Marines Want a New Land-Based, Ship-Killing Missile," 19 Jan. 2020 On the skidpad, there's 0.84 g of grip, which is enough to have fun on a great road or provide the security to take evasive action in an emergency. — Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, "Mazda CX-30 Channels the Mazda 3 to Good Effect," 24 Feb. 2020 Both Portillo's and Andiamo were evasive when asked about the plans. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Chicago hot dog joint Portillo's appears to be planning Lakeside Mall location," 20 Feb. 2020 House members have complained that Office of Planning and Budget Director Kelly Farr and many agency directors have been evasive at the same time Kemp is asking many agencies to cut 4% this year and 6% next year. — James Salzer, ajc, "Kemp’s budget director tells Georgia House leaders that spending cuts weren’t “done haphazardly”," 11 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evasive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Evasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evasive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for evasive

evasive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of evasive

: not honest or direct

: done to avoid harm, an accident, etc.

See the full definition for evasive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

evasive

eva·sive | \ i-ˈvā-siv, -ziv

\

Legal Definition of evasive

: 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.

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