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Evasive: meaning, definitions and examples

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evasive

 

[ɪˈveɪsɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a conversation

Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.

Synonyms

ambiguous, equivocal, evasory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evasive

When someone is trying to avoid giving a clear or direct answer, often because they are hiding something or don't want to be pinned down.

  • He was very evasive during the interview, never giving a straight answer to any of the questions
equivocal

When someone is being deliberately unclear or ambiguous, often to mislead or deceive. This has a more negative connotation compared to 'ambiguous'.

  • Her responses were equivocal, leaving us unsure of her true intentions
evasory

When someone is being evasive, but this term is less commonly used. It still involves avoiding a direct response.

  • The politician's evasory comments made it difficult to understand his stance on the issue
ambiguous

When something can be understood in more than one way and it is unclear what the exact meaning is, often leading to confusion.

  • The instructions were so ambiguous, I didn't know what they wanted me to do

Examples of usage

  • She was evasive when asked about her plans for the weekend.
  • The suspect gave evasive answers during the interrogation.
  • He was evasive about his involvement in the project.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a situation

Intended to evade something undesirable; not straightforward.

Synonyms

avoiding, dodging, shifty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evasive

Use this when someone is trying to avoid giving a clear answer or being direct, often in a manner that raises suspicion.

  • His answers during the interview were so evasive that it was hard to understand his true intentions
avoiding

This is used in general contexts where someone is steering clear of a person, situation, or responsibility.

  • She is avoiding her responsibilities by pretending to be busy with other tasks
dodging

This is often used in a more active or physical sense, implying a quick or sudden movement to avoid something, but can also be used metaphorically.

  • He was dodging all my questions about his whereabouts last night
shifty

This term has a negative connotation and is used when someone appears deceitful or untrustworthy in their behavior or mannerisms.

  • The new guy seemed shifty, always looking around nervously and giving vague answers

Examples of usage

  • The company used evasive tactics to avoid paying taxes.
  • The politician's evasive maneuvers to dodge questions raised suspicions.
  • His evasive behavior only prolonged the conflict.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'evasivus,' meaning 'to escape.'
  • In English, it started being used in the late 19th century to describe someone who dodges questions.

Psychology

  • People may use evasive strategies to avoid confrontation or uncomfortable topics.
  • Evasive behavior can often be linked to anxiety, where individuals feel threatened by direct questions.

Literature

  • Evasive characters often add suspense in stories, making readers question their true intentions.
  • Authors may intentionally craft dialogues that are evasive to demonstrate a character's complexity or moral ambiguity.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, the hero might be evasive when hiding secrets from friends, creating dramatic tension.
  • Evasiveness in politics is frequently scrutinized, as politicians may dodge questions to maintain a favorable image.

Communication

  • Being evasive can indicate a lack of trust in the relationship between communicators.
  • In negotiations, evasiveness might be used as a tactic to gain leverage or control the conversation.

Translations

Translations of the word "evasive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 evasivo

🇮🇳 टालमटोल करने वाला

🇩🇪 ausweichend

🇮🇩 mengelak

🇺🇦 ухильний

🇵🇱 wykrętny

🇯🇵 回避的な

🇫🇷 évasif

🇪🇸 evasivo

🇹🇷 kaçamak

🇰🇷 회피하는

🇸🇦 مراوغ

🇨🇿 vyhýbavý

🇸🇰 vyhýbavý

🇨🇳 逃避的

🇸🇮 izogibalen

🇮🇸 undanskilinn

🇰🇿 жалтарғыш

🇬🇪 ტალმუდი

🇦🇿 yayındıran

🇲🇽 evasivo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,727, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.