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
Each inconclusive result deepened frustration; each test a reminder that clarity remained elusive.
—
Jordan Greene, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Crews from Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and state agencies have responded, but containment remains elusive.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
But along with any commitment of troops, details on these possible security guarantees remained elusive Wednesday, as several officials said the discussions were still in the early stages and would need to become part of a broader political discussion going forward.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
Calculating the costs of colonizing other planets remains elusive.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Jordan Greene, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Crews from Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and state agencies have responded, but containment remains elusive.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
But along with any commitment of troops, details on these possible security guarantees remained elusive Wednesday, as several officials said the discussions were still in the early stages and would need to become part of a broader political discussion going forward.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
Calculating the costs of colonizing other planets remains elusive.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
-
In the slippery debut thriller from director Alex Russell, a superfan gains access to a rising pop star’s inner circle and stops at nothing to stay there.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
-
This scene also sets the stage for the audience’s slippery perception of Julianne Moore’s character and the bizarre relationship Kiki has with Simone.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Her life felt transient, moving from Chicago; to Topanga, Calif.; to New Zealand, while her dad shot Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong film; and then to Dripping Springs, Texas, just 20 minutes outside of Austin proper.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Removing transient motel rooms was critical to the pivot.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The founder was evasive, the model was unfocused and the pressure was high to get into the deal.—
Shayne Fitz-Coy,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Lawson took evasive action and drove off the side of the road and crashed, sustaining injury.—
Stepheny Price , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share