Elusive vs. Illusory: What's the Difference?
Elusive and Illusory Definitions
Elusive
Tending to elude capture, perception, comprehension, or memory
"an invisible cabal of conspirators, each more elusive than the archterrorist [himself]" (David Kline).
Illusory
Produced by, based on, or having the nature of an illusion; deceptive
An illusory belief that their finances would improve.
Elusive
Difficult to define or describe
"Failures are more finely etched in our minds than triumphs, and success is an elusive, if not mythic, goal in our demanding society" (Hugh Drummond).
Illusory
Resulting from an illusion; deceptive, imaginary, unreal.
Elusive
Evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.
The elusive criminal was arrested
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Illusory
Deceiving, or tending of deceive; fallacious; illusive; as, illusory promises or hopes.
Elusive
Difficult to make precise.
Illusory
Based on or having the nature of an illusion;
Illusive hopes of of finding a better job
Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the bothersome debate and open decision that are staples of democracy
Elusive
Rarely seen.
Elusive
Tending to elude; using arts or deception to escape; adroitly escaping or evading; eluding the grasp; fallacious.
Elusive of the bridal day, she givesFond hopes to all, and all with hopes deceives.
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Elusive
Difficult to describe;
A haunting elusive odor
Elusive
Skillful at eluding capture;
A cabal of conspirators, each more elusive than the archterrorist
Elusive
Be difficult to detect or grasp by the mind;
His whole attitude had undergone a subtle change
A subtle difference
That elusive thing the soul
