evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv,

ē-

: tending or intended to evade : equivocal

evasive answers

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Synonyms

• elusive
• fugitive
• slippery

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

She gave an evasive answer.

They took evasive action to avoid capture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecutor:Big Mac Bridge fire suspects used 'evasive tactics' to avoid contact Aside from two traffic cases for driving without a license, Stumpf has no prior criminal record in Hamilton or Clermont counties as an adult. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024

Pressed on what had gone wrong, the men were talked in evasive circles, insisting that the team of 18 people behind $HAWK had not sold their tokens. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024

According to the yacht's captain, the suspicious boats followed the vessel's course for two hours, despite evasive maneuvers deployed to shake them off. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Cruises take evasive action Hurricane Milton is also diverting cruises in the region. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv

: tending or meant to evade

gave an evasive answer

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Legal Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·​sive i-ˈvā-siv, -ziv 

: tending or intending to evade

Note: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(4), an evasive or incomplete answer to an interrogatory or to a question at a deposition is treated as a failure to answer and may be subject to an opponent's motion to compel an answer.

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun