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Elusive vs Reclusive - What's the difference?

elusive | reclusive |

As adjectives the difference between elusive and reclusive

is that elusive is evading capture, comprehension or remembrance while reclusive is of, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded.

elusive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Evading capture, comprehension or remembrance.
  • The elusive criminal was arrested
  • * {{quote-book
  • , year=1910 , author=Jack London , title=Lost Face , chapter=6 citation , passage=Charley chased the elusive idea through all the nooks and crannies of his drowning consciousness.}}
  • Rarely seen.
  • *
  • Difficult to describe.
  • A precise definition of diarrhea is elusive (Robbin's pathology, 8th ed)

    reclusive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=December 19 , author=Kerry Brown , title=Kim Jong-il obituary , work=The Guardian citation , page= , passage=Kim Jong-il, who has died aged 69, was the general secretary of the Workers party of Korea, and head of the military in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He was one of the most reclusive and widely condemned national leaders of the late 20th and early 21st century, leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically broken and divided from South Korea.}}
  • *
  • And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,
    As best befits her wounded reputation,
    In some reclusive and religious life,
    Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries.

    Synonyms

    * hermit-like * withdrawn