: 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
How does an actor convey this kind of go-for-broke generosity, a quality as elusive as a cloud floating across the sky?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
In our modern era, that willingness to commit and be present feels ever elusive.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
The offseason trades that brought Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges to New York reshaped the team’s identity, but the chemistry necessary for sustained success remains elusive.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Stability remains elusive as rivalries within and outside the Taliban's ranks continue to destabilize Afghanistan.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elusive 
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.
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
In our modern era, that willingness to commit and be present feels ever elusive.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
The offseason trades that brought Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges to New York reshaped the team’s identity, but the chemistry necessary for sustained success remains elusive.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Stability remains elusive as rivalries within and outside the Taliban's ranks continue to destabilize Afghanistan.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share