as in slippery
hard to find, capture, or isolate
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
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Recent Examples of elusive
Seeking to win its first lottery win since 1991, when the Hornets grabbed Larry Johnson, the ability to choose the best prospect in the draft class remains elusive for Charlotte.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
The sensory cues involved are probably extremely subtle, and the animal itself is nocturnal, elusive and endangered.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Bryant’s once-elusive Air Force 1 sneaker was produced as a player exclusive for the late basketball legend in 2006.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 May 2026
Remarkably Bright Creatures is a movie, like its cephalopod supporting star, with a gentle soul and an elusive spirit.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
The sensory cues involved are probably extremely subtle, and the animal itself is nocturnal, elusive and endangered.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Bryant’s once-elusive Air Force 1 sneaker was produced as a player exclusive for the late basketball legend in 2006.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 May 2026
Remarkably Bright Creatures is a movie, like its cephalopod supporting star, with a gentle soul and an elusive spirit.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
-
At the same time, communication feels slippery.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Avoid design choices like tight spaces, slippery surfaces, or poor lighting that can create safety and accessibility issues.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s including $175 million in net sales tax and transient guest tax revenues, $15 million in tax increment financing and $31 million from a community improvement district that the city created on the project site.—
Sofi Zeman
May 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
-
Such is the transient nature of college athletics.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pursuits are when deputies follow in an attempt to apprehend suspects who are trying to evade arrest, driving at high speeds or through other evasive tactics.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
According to a live feed from The New York Times, within minutes of the third day starting, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had to reproach Musk, instructing him to stop being sarcastic and evasive.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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