: tending to elude: such as
a
: tending to evade grasp or pursuit
elusive prey
b
: hard to comprehend or define
c
: hard to isolate or identify
elusively
adverb
elusiveness
noun
Examples of elusive in a Sentence
But for all their influence, D.C. lobbyists have failed to attain one elusive goal: public respect.
—
Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002
In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarship—in any field of research—will probably remain an elusive one.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998
His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptographers.
—Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998
This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God Particle.
—Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993
The truth may prove elusive.
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Franklin Foer, New Republic, 25 Mar. 2002
In truth, the ideal of wholly disinterested scholarship—in any field of research—will probably remain an elusive one.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998
His meanings have been known to be elusive, which is why he appeals to pop cryptographers.
—Sarah Vowell, GQ, November 1998
This boson is so central to the state of physics today, so crucial to our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive, that I have given it a nickname: the God Particle.
—Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993
The truth may prove elusive.
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
Recent Examples on the Web
While that much snow is unlikely in Charleston, visitors and hotel guests can still experience an elusive Southern snowfall each night on Market Street Circle.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
Djokovic completed the full set by throwing his body and soul at the Paris Olympics, capturing the elusive singles gold medal at 37 years of age.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Couric hosted every year from 1991 to 2005 while Lauer hosted from 1998 to 2017.
2002
Despite being a beloved character for decades, Charlie Brown and his elusive football finally made their first appearance as a giant balloon in 2002.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
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Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
Djokovic completed the full set by throwing his body and soul at the Paris Olympics, capturing the elusive singles gold medal at 37 years of age.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Couric hosted every year from 1991 to 2005 while Lauer hosted from 1998 to 2017.
2002
Despite being a beloved character for decades, Charlie Brown and his elusive football finally made their first appearance as a giant balloon in 2002.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elusive
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Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
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