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
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
And Then There Were None
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Blake was, by turns, crude, evasive, combative and menacing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Such musings are engaging, though they can also seem fussy and evasive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 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
I try to be evasive without flat-out lying.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
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.
