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
This is where the elusive pool noodle comes in and works its unsuspecting magic.
—
Candace Madonna, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
The first 200 guests will receive a free Fate & Fortune Doughnut, offering a chance to discover the elusive Pink Fortune Filling and win free doughnuts for a year.
—/ Cbs Miami, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
But until this year, the Olympics remained elusive.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Physical space is scarce, and editors are elusive, but readers are everywhere.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Candace Madonna, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
The first 200 guests will receive a free Fate & Fortune Doughnut, offering a chance to discover the elusive Pink Fortune Filling and win free doughnuts for a year.
—/ Cbs Miami, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
But until this year, the Olympics remained elusive.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Physical space is scarce, and editors are elusive, but readers are everywhere.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
-
Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.—
Mobile Web,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The property brings that slippery ideal much closer to reality, and leading the charge is its Revital Method.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The ballot measure advanced on Tuesday suggests a temporary 2% increase to the city’s 14% transient occupancy tax — often called a bed or hotel tax — dropping to a permanent post-Games 1% increase starting in 2029.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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After gauging voter interest in a variety of tax or bond measures, San Jose will pursue a 2% increase in transient occupancy taxes, which city staff says could generate approximately $10 million in annual revenue without reducing the competitiveness of its lodging industry.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Three minutes of comedy chasing and evasive action ensued before play resumed, only for the four-legged fiend to return to wreak more havoc than the home attack had previously shown.—
Craig Chisnall,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cast members have been evasive to the point of parody.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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