adjective
evasive
ih-VAY-siv/ɪˈveɪsɪv/
Acting to avoid something unwelcome.
The interview guest gives an evasive answer and looks away.
Etymology
French évasif rests on Latin evadere, “to get away, escape.” That escape image applies both to eluding capture and to avoiding a direct answer or commitment.
In context
You're being evasive and you're not being candid or forthright.
More examples
- She remains evasive about why she missed the meeting.
- The driver takes evasive action to avoid a collision.
- His evasive reply leaves the question of payment unanswered.
Forms
evasive · more evasive · most evasive
evasion noun — The act of avoiding or escaping something.
evasively adverb — In a way that avoids directness.
Similar words
- noncommittal
- Avoids expressing a firm opinion or making a commitment.
- elusive
- Hard to find or catch, not necessarily deliberately avoiding.
- indirect
- Not straightforward, but not necessarily intended to avoid something.