evasive

[ ih-vey-siv ]

adjective

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

   an evasive answer.

2. elusive or evanescent.

evasive

/ 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

Derived Forms

• eˈvasiveness, noun
• eˈvasively, adverb

Other Words From

• e·vasive·ly adverb
• e·vasive·ness noun
• none·vasive adjective
• none·vasive·ly adverb
• none·vasive·ness noun
• une·vasive adjective
• une·vasive·ly adverb
• une·vasive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of evasive¹

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

Example Sentences

Paxton didn't either, though he has been criticized for having an evasive relationship with the press.

From Salon

Other satellite operators are informed if there's likely to be a particularly close conjunction, in case they need to take evasive action.

From BBC

But when it came to questions about whether she had had a happy childhood, Claire was evasive.

From BBC

Aidan Eardley KC, for the solicitor general, told the court that Yaxley-Lennon had intended to repeat the false allegations, despite the injunction, and then take “evasive” measures.

From BBC

But Hollywood is a place where hope frequently comes to die, and “They Went Another Way” is a comic primer on how good ideas are slowly strangled by an unwieldy and inefficient streamocracy whose lingua franca is the artfully evasive lie.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous
• cagey
• deceptive
• false
• misleading
• unclear
• vague