Evasiveness: meaning, definitions and examples

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evasiveness

[ɪˈveɪsɪvnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in communication

The quality of being evasive; avoiding giving a direct answer or clear explanation.

Synonyms

ambiguity, equivocation, evasion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
evasiveness	Used when someone is trying to avoid giving a clear or direct answer. The politician's evasiveness about her policies caused frustration among the voters
evasion	Describes the act of avoiding something, such as a question or a responsibility. Her evasion of his questions about the budget raised suspicions
equivocation	Usually used to describe the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself, often with a negative connotation. His equivocation during the interview made it difficult to understand his true stance on the issue
ambiguity	Refers to a situation where something can be understood in more than one way and it's unclear which meaning is intended. The ambiguity in the contract led to confusion between the parties

Examples of usage

She was frustrated by his constant evasiveness during the interview.
His evasiveness only raised more suspicions about his involvement in the scandal.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

personality trait

Tendency to avoid commitment or confrontation, often leading to misunderstandings or lack of trust.

Synonyms

dodging, elusiveness, shiftiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
evasiveness	Used to describe someone avoiding giving a direct answer, especially in conversations or discussions. His evasiveness made it clear he was hiding something The politician's evasiveness during the interview frustrated the audience
elusiveness	Describes something or someone that is hard to find, catch, or achieve. The elusiveness of the rare bird makes it a thrilling challenge for bird watchers Success in the industry has an air of elusiveness for many
shiftiness	Carries a negative connotation, implying suspicion or dishonesty in someone's behavior or appearance. His shiftiness made everyone in the room uncomfortable The shiftiness of his glance suggested he was not telling the truth
dodging	Used when someone actively avoids facing an issue, physical confrontation, or responsibility. He kept dodging questions about his involvement in the scandal She is good at dodging difficult tasks at work

Examples of usage

Her evasiveness in relationships made it hard for others to truly know her.
His evasiveness in decision-making caused delays in the project.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'evasio,' meaning 'a going away or escaping.'
It entered the English language around the late 14th century, reflecting a tendency to avoid direct confrontations.

Psychology

Evasiveness often occurs in communication styles where individuals feel vulnerable or threatened.
Studies show that people may use evasive language to maintain social boundaries or avoid conflict.

Pop Culture

Characters in films and books like to be evasive to build suspense or mystery, keeping audiences guessing.
Political figures often use evasive answers during interviews to avoid revealing sensitive information or taking a strong stance.

Sociolinguistics

Evasive language can be influenced by cultural norms; some cultures value directness while others favor ambiguity.
In negotiation scenarios, evasiveness can be a strategic move to gain an advantage or buy time.

Translations

Translations of the word "evasiveness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 evasão

🇮🇳 चालाकी

🇩🇪 Ausweichmanöver

🇮🇩 penghindaran

🇺🇦 ухильність

🇵🇱 wykrętność

🇯🇵 回避

🇫🇷 esquive

🇪🇸 evasión

🇹🇷 kaçamaklık

🇰🇷 회피

🇸🇦 مراوغة

🇨🇿 vyhýbavost

🇸🇰 vyhýbavosť

🇨🇳 回避

🇸🇮 izmikanje

🇮🇸 undank

🇰🇿 қашқақтық

🇬🇪 თავის არიდება

🇦🇿 yayındırma

🇲🇽 evasión

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,838, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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35840 braggadocio
35841 summery
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