fugitive
a person who is fleeing, as from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway: a fugitive from justice;a fugitive from a dictatorial regime.
having taken flight, or run away: The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850 that led the United States even closer to civil war.
fleeting; transitory; elusive: fugitive thoughts that could not be formulated.
Fine Arts. changing color as a result of exposure to light and chemical substances present in the atmosphere, in other pigments, or in the medium.
dealing with subjects of passing interest, as writings; ephemeral: fugitive essays.
wandering, roving, or vagabond: a fugitive carnival.
Origin of fugitive
1Other words for fugitive
3 | transient, passing, flitting, flying, brief, temporary |
5 | momentary, evanescent, trivial, light |
6 | straying, roaming |
Opposites for fugitive
Other words from fugitive
- fu·gi·tive·ly, adverb
- fu·gi·tiv·i·ty [fyoo-ji-tiv-i-tee], /ˌfyu dʒɪˈtɪv ɪ ti/, fu·gi·tive·ness, noun
- non·fu·gi·tive, adjective, noun
- non·fu·gi·tive·ly, adverb
- non·fu·gi·tive·ness, noun
- un·fu·gi·tive, adjective
- un·fu·gi·tive·ly, adverb
Words Nearby fugitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use fugitive in a sentence
These prewar doctrines formed the basis of the wartime policy by which the Union Army confiscated, freed and eventually enlisted fugitive slaves.
Working to end slavery, Lincoln found power — and limits — in the Constitution | Elizabeth R. Varon | January 22, 2021 | Washington PostThe fugitive quality of the book’s structure and plot also parallels the arc of his strained on-again, off-again relationship with his mother, who eventually descends into dementia.
In ‘Standpipe,’ David Hardin offers poignant, fleeting reflections on the Flint water crisis | Kerri Arsenault | January 21, 2021 | Washington PostThe fugitive, Shawn Lequin Braddy, 37, opened fire on Montgomery County police officers as they closed in on him Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
Fugitive who died in gun battle with Md. police killed his estranged girlfriend in Fla., authorities say | Dan Morse | November 18, 2020 | Washington Post“They pursue the most serious violent fugitives we have,” Newsham said.
Bicyclist fatally struck in Prince George’s as D.C. officer sought murder suspect | Justin Wm. Moyer | October 29, 2020 | Washington PostAfter falsely identifying King as the fugitive they were looking for, the officers arrested him before allegedly beating and choking him to the point of unconsciousness.
7 big cases the Supreme Court will hear in its new term, explained | Ian Millhiser | October 1, 2020 | Vox
Detectives with a fugitive task force caught up with Polanco and a friend on a Bronx street in the early afternoon.
And Daniel Webster, a great opponent of slavery, supported the vile Compromise of 1850, fugitive Slave Act and all.
He had made arrangements to surrender but failed to show and was picked up as a fugitive in Pennsylvania.
Manhunt for a Cop-Hating Pennsylvania ‘Survivalist’ | Michael Daly | September 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 1964 you were given a guest star spot on the series The fugitive.
The Unsinkable Lee Grant Sets the Record Straight | William O’Connor | July 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe spends the rest of the movie struggling to clear his name and channeling Harrison Ford from The fugitive.
‘Persecuted’ Is the Christian Right’s Paranoid Wet Dream | Candida Moss | July 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnthony, titular king of Portugal, died at Paris, a fugitive from the victorious arms of the Spaniards.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellWallace, the last centre of opposition, was a fugitive, dogged by emissaries of the English King.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonStirling surrendered and Wallace a fugitive, Edward went home and meditated measures for the government of the conquered country.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonThey buy no fugitive matter, and I havent 68 sent them anything since having my interview with Mr. Prentice.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. MorrisonShe hoped that something would turn up and watched the mails very eagerly, hoping that a fugitive check might come.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. Morrison
British Dictionary definitions for fugitive
/ (ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪv) /
a person who flees
a thing that is elusive or fleeting
fleeing, esp from arrest or pursuit
not permanent; fleeting; transient
moving or roving about
Origin of fugitive
1Derived forms of fugitive
- fugitively, adverb
- fugitiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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