evasive

evasive — adjective

1. choosing to respond to questions with unclear or indirect statements, usually be

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

choosing to respond to questions with unclear or indirect statements, usually because you want to hide what you truly think or know.

Example

Noa gave an evasive answer when her mother asked about the missing concert tickets.

collocation: evasive answer

The CEO's evasive statement at the press conference raised more questions than answers.

evasive + statement (formal speech noun)

Common collocations
  • evasive answer
  • evasive reply
  • evasive remark
  • evasive comment
  • evasive response
  • evasive statement
  • evasive about
  • become evasive
  • remain evasive
Synonyms
  • equivocal

    more formal; suggests language that can be interpreted in two or more ways on purpose

  • non-committal

    milder; avoids taking a position without necessarily hiding the truth

  • cagey

    informal; suggests careful wariness or slyness

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

evasive + noun

be evasive

be evasive about something

become evasive

Usage Note

Commonly used to describe how a person responds in conversation or writing, rather than physical actions. The focus is on avoiding honesty or commitment in communication. Compare with sense 2 (AVOID DANGER), which describes actions taken to escape harm.

Common Mistakes

The suspect was elusive during questioning.
The suspect was evasive during questioning.
'elusive' means hard to catch or find; 'evasive' means not giving direct answers.
The politician's statements were very ambiguous.
The politician's statements were evasive.
'ambiguous' means having multiple possible interpretations; 'evasive' suggests a deliberate intention to avoid the truth.

2. carried out to get away from or prevent harm, danger, or an unwanted outcome.

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

carried out to get away from or prevent harm, danger, or an unwanted outcome.

Example

The pilot took evasive action to avoid a collision with the small plane.

fixed phrase: take evasive action

The cyclist made a quick evasive turn to avoid hitting the open car door.

evasive turn (physical movement)

Common collocations
  • take evasive action
  • evasive action
  • evasive maneuver
  • evasive tactic
  • evasive measure
  • evasive move
Synonyms
  • defensive

    focuses on protecting against attack or criticism rather than escaping

  • avoidant

    more clinical or technical; describes behaviour that stays away from something

Antonyms
  • direct

    moving straight toward something without trying to avoid it

  • confrontational

    choosing to face a problem or threat head-on

Grammar Patterns

evasive + action/measure/maneuver

take evasive action

Usage Note

Often found in fixed phrases such as 'take evasive action' or 'evasive maneuvers.' The adjective describes the action or measure itself, not the person. Distinguish from sense 1 (EVADE QUESTIONS), which applies to speech and behaviour rather than physical movement.

Common Mistakes

The soldiers took elusive action to avoid the attack.
The soldiers took evasive action to avoid the attack.
'elusive' describes something hard to catch or find; 'evasive action' is the correct fixed phrase for avoiding danger.
Idioms

evasive action

idiom

a movement or set of actions taken to escape from danger or prevent something bad from happening.

The deer ran across the road, so the driver had to take evasive action.

The ship took evasive action when a storm appeared on the radar.

take evasive action

idiom

To move or change direction quickly to avoid something dangerous or unwanted.

The driver took evasive action to avoid hitting a deer.

When the storm suddenly changed course, the captain took evasive action.

Word family

  • evade
    verbB2
  • evasion
    nounC1
  • evasively
    adverbC1
  • evasiveness
    nounC2
  • evader
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Evasive describes a person's deliberate choice to avoid giving clear or honest answers, often to hide something they do not want to reveal. Elusive refers to something that is hard to catch, find, or remember — for example, an elusive criminal or an elusive concept. Equivocal describes language that has two possible meanings on purpose, creating uncertainty without outright lying. Non-committal is milder: a non-committal person simply refuses to take a side or make a promise, without necessarily trying to deceive. For example: 'The minister was evasive about the scandal' suggests he was hiding the truth. 'He gave an equivocal statement' means his words could be interpreted in two ways. 'She remained non-committal when asked which plan she supported' means she avoided choosing a side without implying dishonesty.

elusiveequivocalnon-committal

Common collocations

Nouns

  • answer
  • reply
  • remark
  • comment
  • response
  • statement
  • email
  • tone
  • action
  • maneuver
  • measure
  • tactic

Adverbs

  • deliberately evasive
  • slightly evasive
  • cautiously evasive
  • carefully evasive

Phrases

  • take evasive action
  • give an evasive answer
  • be evasive about something
  • become evasive

Prepositions

  • evasive about
  • evasive on

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Comes from Latin 'ēvāsīvus', based on 'ēvādere' — from 'ē-' (meaning 'out of') and 'vādere' (meaning 'to go'). The idea of 'going out of' developed into 'escaping' and later 'avoiding'. The word entered English in the early 1600s.