evasive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evasive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is avoiding giving a direct answer or is being intentionally vague. Example: "When asked about his plans, he gave an evasive response that left everyone confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I regret that my question could be misinterpreted, and that it enabled many to ignore the substance of the question – and Putin's evasive response – in order to speculate, wildly and incorrectly, about my motives for asking it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"[He was] very evasive in his answers," Barrett told the inquest.

The Guardian

However, as Nick Hibberd, head of city regeneration at Brighton & Hove city council, explains, the powers-that-be aren't deliberately being evasive.

The Guardian

Maybe we can evoke this evasive spring if we try hard enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At a time when voters want honesty and earthiness from their politicians, the co-founder of Bain Capital has been evasive about his tax returns.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They were very evasive as to why they were going to the UK," he said, adding they "gave one-word answers".

The Guardian

Ahead of polling day it suits the parties to be evasive about the parliamentary maths that will dominate all their calculations once voters have spoken.

The Guardian

When I ask her if this is true she becomes giggly, girlish and evasive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr Obama's council, however, makes a different argument: the lower trend was largely in place even before the recession hit.In this section A bungled bank raid The financial-repression levy Hot air And the winner is… Evasive action Us? Risky?

The Economist

Two of the questions cover education, two address health and the remaining six assess a household's standard of living (see table).In this section A bungled bank raid The financial-repression levy Hot air And the winner is… Evasive action Us? Risky?

The Economist

One such cost arises when a satellite has to take evasive action and thereby uses up fuel, reducing its life in orbit.This plan need not be expensive, but it faces one big difficulty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evasive" to describe actions, responses, or individuals that intentionally avoid directness or clarity. It's most effective when highlighting an attempt to conceal or sidestep an issue.

Common error

Avoid using "evasive" simply to mean 'unclear' or 'difficult to understand'. "Evasive" implies an active effort to avoid revealing information, not just a lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "evasive" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that tends to avoid speaking openly or making revelations about oneself. As Ludwig suggests, it indicates a deliberate attempt to avoid directness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evasive" is a versatile adjective used to describe actions or individuals that deliberately avoid directness or clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to ensure that "evasive" accurately reflects an intentional effort to conceal information rather than simply a lack of understanding. Using alternatives like "elusive" or "noncommittal" can add nuance, but always consider the specific context to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elusive

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the difficulty in capturing or understanding something.

noncommittal

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision or commitment.

ambiguous

Highlights the uncertainty and open to multiple interpretations nature of something.

vague

Emphasizes a lack of clarity or precision.

equivocal

Stresses the use of language that can be interpreted in different ways, often to mislead.

shifty

Suggests a deceptive or untrustworthy quality.

dodging

Implies actively avoiding something, like a question or responsibility.

cagey

Indicates caution and reluctance to reveal information.

circumlocutory

Describes using many words to avoid a direct answer.

prevaricating

Suggests deliberately avoiding the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "evasive" in a sentence?

You can use "evasive" to describe someone who avoids giving a direct answer. For example: "The politician gave an "evasive" answer to the question about his tax returns."

What are some synonyms for "evasive"?

Some synonyms for "evasive" include "elusive", "noncommittal", and "ambiguous" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "evasive" and "avoidant"?

"Evasive" implies an intent to conceal or mislead by not directly answering, while "avoidant" simply means to avoid something, not necessarily with the intention of deception.

When is it appropriate to describe someone as "evasive"?

It's appropriate when someone is deliberately avoiding answering a question directly or providing clear information. This often suggests they have something to hide or don't want to commit to a specific position.