elusive

adjective

elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
-ˈlü-ziv
: 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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Time to Value: Personalizing the Journey to Success Personalization isn't a new concept, but it's proven elusive in both consumer and B2B sales. Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 With more solid evidence — or perhaps a less elusive subject — Freedman could have turned that prose into a book that lives up to its title. Andrew Demillo, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025 That success sparked the desire to do a sequel, but the premise of a second fictional but science-based pandemic, coming after the audience had experienced a real one, had been elusive to Burns and Soderbergh. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 13 June 2025 Better measurements of the universe help to refine our understanding of dark matter and neutrinos, abundant but elusive particles that fill the universe. Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for elusive

Word History

Etymology

see elusion

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elusive was in 1719

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

elusive

adjective
elu·​sive ē-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce elusive (audio)
-ziv
1
: hard to find or capture : evasive
elusive prey
2
: hard to understand or define
an elusive idea
elusively adverb
elusiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on elusive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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