elusive

adjective

ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
Definition of elusivenext
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 One rarely discerns the quiet, elusive beauty of boglands from above. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 But a successful plan to restore and reopen the Uptown has remained elusive. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The three-part series takes audiences through the life of Harry Houdini, from his childhood through some of his most elusive acts as an illusionist during the early 20th century. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 But Willoughby, as Austen’s readers know, will prove an even more elusive catch than Ferrars. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
  1. slippery
  2. transient
  3. evasive
Adjective
  • The collagen-rich mixture gives the noodles their slippery texture, which Orlando complements with smoked chili, sunflower-seed miso, and fermented chili cream.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The connection between the electrode and the organic film is slippery.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of slippery
Adjective
  • The transient air pressure of a passing thunderstorm, or the excessive production of cow patties, spoiled the chips.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Back in February, Wyandotte County commissioners decided that the local government would direct a portion of its future sales, use and transient guest tax revenues to pay for the Chiefs development.
    — Sofi Zeman October 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • The garbage truck driver took evasive action and avoided a collision.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Companies often overoptimize to say the safest possible thing and end up sounding evasive or inhuman.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of evasive

Browse Nearby Words

elusion
elusive
elutriate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All