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evasively

evasively

1 6.4
In a way that avoids giving a direct answer or admitting the truth
  • adverb
  • /ɪˈveɪsɪvli/
: evasivamente
  • The director rose and talked to us a little evasively.
  • said evasively
  • answered evasively
  • replied evasively

Examples

  • "I believe that's what you believe happened," Robert said evasively.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "You'll have to ask the secretary of state," Lewis replies evasively when asked if the progress report is good enough to avoid further government intervention.

    Academic text (2010)
  • "Still trying to figure that out," he answered evasively.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "I might have," Alex answered evasively.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • " I think I must have met you years ago," Sara said evasively.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "The more important question right now," Tressalian answered evasively, "is, what is your government doing?"

    Fiction book (2000)
  • When she confronted him, Michael said evasively, "Hell, Corinne, a man can always use a lawyer."

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "She's not in town," he evasively replied.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • "I'm not sure," Laurie said evasively.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "I don't want to talk about it," she said evasively when asked about her plans.

Synonyms

indirectly
vsevasively
74 4.2

In a way that does not say something clearly, often by a hint or through someone else

is focused on avoiding a straight answer or admitting the truth
elusively
vsevasively
1 7.2

In a way that avoids clear answers or direct information

is less about being hard to catch and more about hiding truth
reticently
vsevasively
1 8.0

In a quiet way, not wanting to speak or give information

is more about active avoidance of direct answers or confession
hedgingly
vsevasively
1 8.9

Speaks in a careful way that avoids a clear answer

avoids direct answers to hide or avoid admitting the truth

Antonyms

274 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

106 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

How Evasive

evasively
1 6.4
guardedly
3 6.5
directly
106 1.4
openly
274 1.6

Surface Forms

evasively positive

Morphology

evasively = evasive (transparent) = evade + ive + ly

The adverb is a regular formation from the adjective 'evasive' with the productive adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Etymology

Evasively comes from the verb evade, from the old Latin evadere made of e- 'out' and vad- 'go', so it meant 'to go out' or 'escape'. So, to answer evasively is to 'escape' a direct answer or avoid giving a clear reply.