as in slippery
hard to find, capture, or isolate
the giant squid is one of the ocean's most elusive inhabitants
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elusive
An elusive and endangered predator was recently spotted in Chile, delighting conservation officials.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Photo: Equity Residential Getting a good deal on a two-bedroom — the ideal apartment size for someone who needs a roommate or is having a kid — has always been somewhat elusive.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 28 May 2025
Thus far, success has been elusive; while Ukrainian and Russian officials met this month for the first time in more than three years, no concrete outcomes were reached outside of a large prisoner exchange.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Wildlife officials also note that black bears are typically elusive and tend to avoid humans unless they have been exposed to sources of human food.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Photo: Equity Residential Getting a good deal on a two-bedroom — the ideal apartment size for someone who needs a roommate or is having a kid — has always been somewhat elusive.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 28 May 2025
Thus far, success has been elusive; while Ukrainian and Russian officials met this month for the first time in more than three years, no concrete outcomes were reached outside of a large prisoner exchange.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Wildlife officials also note that black bears are typically elusive and tend to avoid humans unless they have been exposed to sources of human food.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elusive
Adjective
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Then there’s Adam’s cravat-wearing boss, played by an equally slippery Matthew Modine.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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There in the snow, she’s tasked to swing heavy steel hooks on slippery floors and wield an ice skate like a knife.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Others view Western supremacy as not only the source of much ill, but also inevitably transient.—
Abhijnan Rej,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 June 2025
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Police said the suspect was a transient man living in the area and was on probation.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The columnist also asked Rosen if the team regrets celebrating their latest World Series championship at the White House with President Donald Trump, and Rosen doubled down on the team's evasive stance.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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On Monday, the agency received a tip from a group of hikers of a man who appeared evasive and unprepared near the Ingalls Creek and Valley High areas late Monday night, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elusive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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