Definitions

elusive

[ih-loo-siv] / ɪˈlu sɪv /

ADJECTIVE

evasive, mysterious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous fleeting illusory incomprehensible puzzling slippery subtle tricky volatile

WEAK

baffling cagey deceitful deceptive difficult to catch elusory equivocal evanescent fallacious fraudulent fugacious fugitive greasy imponderable indefinable insubstantial intangible misleading occult phantom shifty shy stonewalling transient transitory unspecific

Antonyms

STRONGEST

definite honest intelligible stable understandable

WEAK

attracting confronting encountering enticing facing inviting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite the lures, profitability is elusive, said George Seremwe, president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Dr. Nester explained that eDNA is especially valuable for detecting fragile, fast-moving, or elusive marine species that may escape traditional nets and underwater cameras.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

A deal to fully open Hormuz remains elusive.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

While he recovered in the captured pueblo, Coronado sent scouting parties in search of the elusive Seven Cities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Roman, Andrew, and I stay up well past midnight, trying to make sense of McCandless’s life and death, yet his essence re-mains slippery, vague, elusive.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Vocabulary lists containing elusive

List 2

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The Hunger Games

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The Things They Carried

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