: 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
Without social media, this knowledge can become more elusive.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Billy Idol has made the shortlist for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction class, joining a varied group of artists that range from jam-band stoners to an elusive chanteuse.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
In & Sons, Nighy plays Andrew — or A.N. Dyer, as he is known to the world — a famous novelist whose first novel became an instant classic and created a cult following around its elusive author.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Go deeper: The elusive link between Elon's politics and Tesla sales
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive 
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Leah Asmelash, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Billy Idol has made the shortlist for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction class, joining a varied group of artists that range from jam-band stoners to an elusive chanteuse.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
In & Sons, Nighy plays Andrew — or A.N. Dyer, as he is known to the world — a famous novelist whose first novel became an instant classic and created a cult following around its elusive author.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Go deeper: The elusive link between Elon's politics and Tesla sales
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elusive
Articles Related to elusive
Dictionary Entries Near elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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