evasive

1 of 2

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv, 

ē-

: tending or intended to evade : equivocal

evasive answers

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

evasiveness

2 of 2

noun

eva·​sive·​ness

|ivnə̇s, 

|ēv- also |əv-

plural -es

: the quality or condition of being evasive

the most crushing blow of all has been the evasiveness of peace

—T. H. Fielding

Synonyms of evasive

Adjective

• elusive

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

Adjective

She gave an evasive answer.

They took evasive action to avoid capture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Both Yotova and Radev have called for a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine but remain evasive about possible Russian involvement in drone attacks in the Black Sea region. — Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Many artists and audiences seem to think that a clinical, alienating, ironic, evasive, or aesthetically empty eye makes work very highbrow. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

The garbage truck driver took evasive action and avoided a collision. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Companies often overoptimize to say the safest possible thing and end up sounding evasive or inhuman. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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