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evasive adjective

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ɪˈveɪ.sɪv/ adj

Definition

answering questions in a way that is not direct or clear, especially because you do not want to give an honest answer
The Minister was her usual evasive self, skilfully dodging reporters' questions about her possible resignation.
done to avoid something bad happening
By the time the pilot realised how close the plane was to the building, it was too late to take evasive action.
Drivers had to make sudden evasive manoeuvres.

evasively adverb

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ɪˈveɪ.sɪv.li/ adv

evasiveness noun

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ɪˈveɪ.sɪv.nəs/ n [U]

(Definition of evasive adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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