: 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
Where access to affordable healthcare, comprehensive postpartum care, and paid leave remains elusive.
—Danaya Wilson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Polls have suggested the Senate race in Texas could potentially become competitive, though the state has proven elusive to Democrats.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Despite Trump’s fixation on the issue, a workaround has proved elusive.
—Grady McGregor, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Although Sacramento residents have complained for decades about the lack of a train to the airport, that effort remains elusive.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
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Danaya Wilson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Polls have suggested the Senate race in Texas could potentially become competitive, though the state has proven elusive to Democrats.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Despite Trump’s fixation on the issue, a workaround has proved elusive.
—Grady McGregor, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Although Sacramento residents have complained for decades about the lack of a train to the airport, that effort remains elusive.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elusive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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