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Synonyms

evasive

American  
[ih-vey-siv] / ɪˈveɪ sɪv /

adjective

  1. tending or seeking to evade; characterized by evasion.

    an evasive answer.

  2. elusive or evanescent.


evasive British  
/ ɪˈveɪsɪv /

adjective

  1. tending or seeking to evade; avoiding the issue; not straightforward

  2. avoiding or seeking to avoid trouble or difficulties

    to take evasive action

  3. hard to catch or obtain; elusive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • evasively adverb
  • evasiveness noun
  • nonevasive adjective
  • nonevasively adverb
  • nonevasiveness noun
  • unevasive adjective
  • unevasively adverb
  • unevasiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of evasive

First recorded in 1715–25; evas(ion) + -ive

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.

He described him as "distracted, not focussed, guarded, suspicious and evasive".

From BBC

Murtazaliev looked to have got to grips with Kelly's evasive style in the latter rounds, but the home fighter rallied in the last three minutes to end strongly.

From BBC

He’s being rude, evasive, and saying terrible things.

From Literature

Yet Le Carré could also be evasive about this overlap, having denied the extent of his spying for many years.

From The Wall Street Journal

The answer is evasive but also magnanimous, as befits Mr. Youngkin’s personality.

From The Wall Street Journal