equivocation

noun

equiv·o·ca·tion i-ˌkwi-və-ˈkā-shən

plural equivocations

Synonyms of equivocation next

: deliberate evasiveness in wording : the use of ambiguous or equivocal language

Like any good teacher, he does his best to answer with clarity and minimal equivocation.—

Eric Bugyis

Let me say now without equivocation or need for reflection: Devils tower is the most amazing sight of my entire trip.—

Mel White

: an ambiguous or deliberately evasive statement

His answers were filled with evasions and equivocations.

Increasingly, the inaccuracies, the elisions, and the equivocations were viewed as deliberate acts of subversion, efforts to assert some control over the past instead of simply recording it.—

Benjamin Soskis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But days after that initial equivocation, as the extent of Putin’s violent incursion became clear, the EBU banned Russia from the competition in Italy. —

Patrick Caldwell, The New Republic, 13 May 2022 The reason for this green equivocation isn't necessarily ideological but rather more likely electioneering, Bale and other experts say. —

Alexander Smith, NBC News, 20 July 2022 The rise in antisemitic hate crimes and of Jews directly experiencing antisemitism speaks to the need for our institutions to clearly condemn antisemitism — as the vast majority of Jews and Jewish institutions define it — without equivocation. —

Micha Danzig, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 A day after coach Gregg Popovich said the Spurs intend to play games in Austin annually, the franchise's top executive responded with equivocation when asked about the club's plans. —

Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2023 If there was any equivocation that the CHIPS strategy would work, what happened during the last month in New York should put it to rest. —

Darío Gil, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2022 In a recent interview with The New York Times Magazine, Ms. Greene shrugged off Mr. McCarthy’s equivocation about impeachment. —

Annie Karni, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2022 Brzezinski included a revealing equivocation in her statement (also delivered on behalf co-host and fiance, colorful former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough). —

Jessika Harkay, courant.com, 12 Aug. 2021 Support from the CEOs seemed to ebb and flow, pulling back over things like Trump's equivocation after the violent rally of white supremacists in Virginia in 2017, followed by enthusiasm for sweeping changes to federal tax law that cut their own taxes. —

Star Tribune, 9 Jan. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equivocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.