Definitions

elusive

[ih-loo-siv] / ɪˈlu sɪv /

ADJECTIVE

evasive, mysterious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous fleeting illusory incomprehensible puzzling slippery subtle tricky volatile

WEAK

baffling cagey deceitful deceptive difficult to catch elusory equivocal evanescent fallacious fraudulent fugacious fugitive greasy imponderable indefinable insubstantial intangible misleading occult phantom shifty shy stonewalling transient transitory unspecific

Antonyms

STRONGEST

definite honest intelligible stable understandable

WEAK

attracting confronting encountering enticing facing inviting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scientists have suspected for more than 70 years that forests might produce these effects during storms due to unusual electric field activity, but direct evidence in nature had remained elusive.

From Science Daily • Apr. 21, 2026

While an all-clear over the Iran conflict remains elusive, markets have been latching onto hopes on the horizon, which has led to fresh record highs for the S&P 500.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Even after criminal convictions, civil judgments and years of litigation, Schwartz remained elusive to the people seeking answers or accountability.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

U.S.-Iran deal terms remained elusive, however, and fraught with misinformation from both sides of the conflict.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

“Can that possibly be the voice of the elusive Mr. Potter?”

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Vocabulary lists containing elusive

List 2

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The Hunger Games

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The Things They Carried

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