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.

It takes an elusive alchemy of skill, knowledge and resources—with a dash of good luck—to introduce a groundbreaking, or even life-changing, invention to the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

After landing elusive Masters tickets, fans are treated to nostalgic food prices that include an iconic pimento cheese sandwich for $1.50.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Melania Trump has been taking on an increasingly public-facing role in recent months, after being an initially elusive presence at the White House early in her husband's second term.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

This elusive, iridescent predator relies on split-second timing and is rarely seen, let alone photographed.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

We were a ragtag team of undocumented immigrants, and for us the American dream was more elusive than Banksy's true identity.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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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