illusive

adjective

il·​lu·​sive i-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

: based on or producing illusion : illusory, deceptive

… that illusive shimmer of hot surface air …

—Frank Norris

Some who have lain flat on the ice for a long time, looking down through the illusive medium … have seen … the undoubted source of the Styx …

—Henry David Thoreau

It had been like the stage gauze which gives an illusive air of reality to the painted scene behind it, yet proves it, after all, to be no more than a painted scene.

—Edith Wharton

illusively adverb

… he seemed to occupy his own still pocket of space, putting Rojas in mind of the lionfish that floated in the waters of the Caribbean—so illusively delicate in appearance, so serenely poisonous.

—Tom Clancy and Martin H. Greenberg

illusiveness noun

I was … still under the impression that no one knew I was gay. They all knew and indulged me my illusions of illusiveness.

—Massoud Hayoun

Examples of illusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The illusive split ticket voter The eastern part of Ohio along the river used to be one of the regions that kept Ohio a Democratic state. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024

In Season Four, which will have eight episodes, Benedict, the fine art enthusiast of the siblings, is in search of the illusive Lady in Silver. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2024

During a mission to take down the illusive super criminal Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster), Amy develops an attraction to the enemy and finds her loyalties tested. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 June 2024

While seeking out the illusive murderer, Bryce and Hunt discover something much darker lurking within the city — a monstrous power that could destroy everything, including their burgeoning passion for one another. —Alyssa Davis, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illusive

adjective

il·​lu·​sive il-ˈü-siv 

-ˈü-ziv

: illusory

illusively adjective