: 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
Your constructive 6th house hosts the conjunction of the dynamic Sun and elusive Neptune, lending you extra drive around daily tasks, co-workers, and personal care.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Gonzaga coach Mark Few has led the program to a pair of Final Fours but is still in search of that elusive first title.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Tucked and tailored, the look strikes that elusive balance—a go-to uniform that feels refined and anything but predictable.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
And then the directors tracked down a interview of Gagan telling the story of how the All-American Game launched — something that seemed elusive earlier in the process.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
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Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Gonzaga coach Mark Few has led the program to a pair of Final Fours but is still in search of that elusive first title.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Tucked and tailored, the look strikes that elusive balance—a go-to uniform that feels refined and anything but predictable.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
And then the directors tracked down a interview of Gagan telling the story of how the All-American Game launched — something that seemed elusive earlier in the process.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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