as in slippery
hard to find, capture, or isolate
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elusive
Its success requires being a place where people want to belong—and, for all Costco’s hard-nosed pursuit of low prices and high quality, such a desire has rested on an elusive sense of the company as a force for good in the world.
—
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
But there were – among the fawning compliments and the conviction an elusive peace was near – bits of good news for Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Nothing has been as elusive as a sound defense against the run for the Chargers in the past two games.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
But there were – among the fawning compliments and the conviction an elusive peace was near – bits of good news for Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Nothing has been as elusive as a sound defense against the run for the Chargers in the past two games.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
-
The production design impressively transforms a London soundstage into New Haven, the plot is fabulously convoluted, and Roberts is particularly compelling to watch, clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver a slippery performance.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The burger’s one possible downside is the too-thick American cheese, which makes things so slippery that eating the burger is a challenge.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In fact, the tranquility of the rocking waves, or maybe the transient, ineffable quality of the water, seems to have lodged in Christian’s brain.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The recent brightening could be a transient outburst rather than a steady increase as the comet approaches to the sun, only time will tell.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bondi’s response was characteristically bristling and evasive; Whitehouse asked about the money seven times, to no avail.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Poehler’s portrayal of the attorney general was of an evasive Trump loyalist who loves to play the victim and insult senators.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share