evasive

adjective

eva·sive i-ˈvā-siv

-ziv,

ē-

Synonyms of evasive

: tending or intended to evade : equivocal

evasive answers

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

She gave an evasive answer. They took evasive action to avoid capture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Rogers was allegedly evasive when asked how his truck had gone off the road and down an embankment and started to walk away from the trooper toward a nearby picnic table with a crossbow and several arrows on it, state police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 Yet the answers remain evasive enough that Golden State coach Natalie Nakase charges herself with the blame for not yet finding new answers for this foe. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Yale sees things differently, and its filings portray Rignol as stalling and evasive. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 Two Delta Air Lines planes carrying hundreds of passengers between them had a close call at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week and had to perform evasive maneuvers. — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for evasive

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of evasive was in 1637

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

evasional

evasive

evasively

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Evasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evasive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·sive i-ˈvā-siv

-ziv

: tending or meant to evade

gave an evasive answer

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

Legal Definition

evasive

adjective

eva·sive i-ˈvā-siv, -ziv

: tending or intending to evade

Note: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(4), an evasive or incomplete answer to an interrogatory or to a question at a deposition is treated as a failure to answer and may be subject to an opponent's motion to compel an answer.

evasively adverb

evasiveness noun

evasive

adjective

Synonyms of evasive

Examples of evasive in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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