1
as in elusive
hard to find, capture, or isolate
that fugitive trait called artistic creativity
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2
as in flash
lasting only for a short time
had fugitive thoughts of leaving town after finishing high school but never acted on them
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3
as in nomadic
traveling from place to place
a small fugitive circus that traveled the countryside
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as in shortness
the state or quality of lasting only for a short time
a sermon on the fugitiveness of all earthly existence
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fugitive
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
For all the civility of tone and talk of compromise—Lincoln went so far as to agree that a fugitive slave could be recaptured and returned to bondage—the real conflict was profound and, in the end, unbridgeable.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
Another fugitive, Boyd, is awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fugitive
Adjective
The teen was taken out of Bronx Central Booking and brought to a hospital Wednesday morning, about 24 hours after he was apprehended by a fugitive task force composed of NYPD cops and U.S. marshals.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
For all the civility of tone and talk of compromise—Lincoln went so far as to agree that a fugitive slave could be recaptured and returned to bondage—the real conflict was profound and, in the end, unbridgeable.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
The seven fugitives still on the run are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; Gary Price, 21; and Corey Boyd, 19.
Donald and Boyd were both facing second-degree murder charges.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
Another fugitive, Boyd, is awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fugitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive
Adjective
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Polls have suggested the Senate race in Texas could potentially become competitive, though the state has proven elusive to Democrats.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Where access to affordable healthcare, comprehensive postpartum care, and paid leave remains elusive.—
Danaya Wilson,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
Mongolia and its people are often believed to be primarily nomadic.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
29 May 2025
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But the human-feeding insects’ numbers began to rise around 13,000 years ago, the study found, which corresponds with the shift from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles about 12,000 years ago.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Harvard has fought back in the courts, winning a temporary restraining order on May 23 that will allow international enrollments to continue as the case makes its way through the courts.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
-
The Chevy had temporary paper license plates, cops said.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
And so happiness by nature is meant to be transient.—
Jess Cording,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
The Pacific Northwest has long had some of the highest cremation rates in the country, in part because its residents tend to be less religious and more transient.—
Susan Shain,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Just a brief walk from the preserve’s entrance, this unique grotto reveals a stunning 50-foot waterfall cascading into a jade-green pool.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
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India is emerging after a brief conflict with Pakistan, with a ceasefire thankfully appearing to hold for now.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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In the case of a passing lead atom, the loss of three protons through this process results in the formation of gold.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
13 May 2025
-
Juliette Touma, communications director for UNRWA, says Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens with each passing week.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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