adjective
-
tending or seeking to evade; avoiding the issue; not straightforward
-
avoiding or seeking to avoid trouble or difficulties
to take evasive action
-
hard to catch or obtain; elusive
Other Word Forms
- evasively adverb
- evasiveness noun
- nonevasive adjective
- nonevasively adverb
- nonevasiveness noun
- unevasive adjective
- unevasively adverb
- unevasiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of evasive
Explanation
To be evasive is to avoid something, whether it's a touchy subject or the person who's "it" in a game of tag. If you're dodging the truth and not giving straight answers, then you're being evasive. Which is probably not the best strategy when the police are asking the questions. From the French évasif, it’s an adjective that describes someone who's being intentionally shifty or vague. But a concept that’s hard to pin down or comprehend can also be considered evasive.
Vocabulary lists containing evasive
Freak the Mighty
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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And Then There Were None
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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.
The answer is evasive but also magnanimous, as befits Mr. Youngkin’s personality.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
Speaking on the eve of his side's home game against high-flying Aston Villa, he was evasive when asked about the United job.
From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026
His reply was evasive to say the least:
From Slate • Jan. 5, 2026
In a news conference on Monday, Maresca was evasive when asked to elaborate on the remarks that followed Saturday's 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025
“Hoist the sails and prepare for evasive maneuvers!”
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
