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
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.
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 • Jan. 31, 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
Judge Ellis wrote that she “specifically finds his testimony not credible,” adding: “Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing ‘cute’ responses to plaintiffs’ counsel’s questions or outright lying.”
From Slate • Nov. 21, 2025
The decisions will be made by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who was characteristically evasive when asked about the efforts the Dodgers would make to keep their out-of-contract players.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2025
The adults get mad, evasive, and shut you up if you ask.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
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.