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Comparative
more elusive
Superlative
most elusive
1
difficult to catch or capture
- The elusive fox darted through the underbrush, impossible to catch.
- He spent hours chasing the elusive butterfly, but it always flew just out of reach.
- The elusive fish kept swimming away, avoiding the net.
- The criminal was elusive, slipping through every attempt to catch him.
- The elusive rabbit dashed across the field, outpacing the hunters.
2
difficult to describe or put into words
- The concept of true happiness is elusive, difficult to describe clearly.
- His feelings for her were elusive, making it hard for him to express them.
- The beauty of the landscape was elusive, something words couldn’t fully capture.
- The essence of her personality was elusive, impossible to describe in just a few sentences.
Synonyms:
3
difficult to grasp mentally
- The concept of time felt elusive, slipping away no matter how hard they tried to focus.
- The meaning behind her words was elusive, leaving him wondering what she truly meant.
- The answer to the riddle remained elusive, despite their best efforts to solve it.
- The details of the dream were elusive, fading as soon as she woke up.
- The answer to the philosophical question remained elusive, debated by thinkers for centuries.
4
(of an idea, quality, etc.) difficult to define, describe, or fully comprehend
- The meaning behind the artwork had an elusive quality that left viewers pondering its message.
- For me, the poem has an elusive charm that I can't quite put into words.
- Understanding the complexities of human emotion can often feel like chasing something elusive.
- The philosopher struggled to capture the elusive nature of time in his writings.
- Her explanation had an elusive aspect, making it hard to grasp the full meaning.
Synonyms:
5
tending to evade grasp or pursuit, remaining out of reach despite persistent effort
- The sunset’s elusive beauty changed from one moment to the next, never allowing a single picture to capture its full glory.
- The athlete’s dream of winning an Olympic gold medal seemed increasingly elusive as injuries took their toll.
- The sense of satisfaction was elusive, often fleeting despite significant achievements.
- Despite their best efforts, the negotiators found peace to be elusive, slipping away just when it seemed within reach.
- Despite his hard work, success remained elusive, always seeming just one step away.
Synonyms: