“Elusive” can describe an idea that is hard to understand, a person or object that is hard to find, or a goal that is difficult to achieve. The right opposite depends on which sense is intended.
Quick List: 15 Contrasts
- Obvious
- Clear
- Evident
- Apparent
- Conspicuous
- Accessible
- Attainable
- Reachable
- Available
- Discoverable
- Traceable
- Identifiable
- Tangible
- Straightforward
- Predictable
Obvious
Obvious contrasts with elusive when the meaning or answer is easy to recognize.
Example: The cause became obvious after the final test.
Clear
Clear works when an idea, explanation or pattern is easy to understand.
Example: The revised instructions were clear.
Evident
Evident means plainly supported or visible from the available information.
Example: The improvement was evident in the second set of results.
Apparent
Apparent describes something readily perceived, though it can sometimes mean only seemingly true.
Example: The difference was apparent as soon as the samples were compared.
Conspicuous
Conspicuous contrasts with elusive when something is easy to see because it stands out.
Example: The bright marker made the entrance conspicuous.
Accessible
Accessible fits information, places or services that can be reached or obtained without undue difficulty.
Example: The archive is now accessible online.
Attainable
Attainable contrasts with an elusive goal when success is realistically within reach.
Example: With additional training, the target became attainable.
Reachable
Reachable is suitable for people, places or goals that can be contacted or physically reached.
Example: The village is reachable by road throughout the year.
Available
Available works when something can be obtained, used or contacted instead of being hard to secure.
Example: Tickets are still available for the afternoon session.
Discoverable
Discoverable applies when information or an object can be found through search or investigation.
Example: The metadata makes older records discoverable.
Traceable
Traceable describes something whose origin, route or history can be followed.
Example: Each batch is traceable back to its supplier.
Identifiable
Identifiable means capable of being recognized or distinguished from alternatives.
Example: The pattern was identifiable in all three images.
Tangible
Tangible contrasts with elusive when evidence, benefits or results are concrete and observable.
Example: The project produced tangible improvements in response time.
Straightforward
Straightforward suits a task, explanation or problem that is easy to understand or deal with.
Example: The final calculation was straightforward.
Predictable
Predictable contrasts with elusive when behavior or outcomes follow an expected pattern.
Example: Demand became more predictable after the seasonal trend was modeled.
Identify What Is Hard About It
Before choosing an opposite, ask whether the elusive thing is hard to understand, see, locate, contact or achieve. Clear, conspicuous, accessible and attainable solve different problems and are not interchangeable.