: 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
All this as answers remain elusive about the ignition source of the fires.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
While not specifically addressed in the film, The Prosecutor repeatedly emphasizes that upholding justice is of paramount importance, even when evidence and truth remain elusive or prove insufficient.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Although the biological mechanism behind this glow is now fairly well understood, its ecological function remains elusive.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025
The longtime Baltimore Ravens cornerback can be elusive during game weeks.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive 
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Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
While not specifically addressed in the film, The Prosecutor repeatedly emphasizes that upholding justice is of paramount importance, even when evidence and truth remain elusive or prove insufficient.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Although the biological mechanism behind this glow is now fairly well understood, its ecological function remains elusive.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025
The longtime Baltimore Ravens cornerback can be elusive during game weeks.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive
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Dictionary Entries Near elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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