equivocate

[ ih-kwiv-uh-keyt ]

verb (used without object)

, e·quiv·o·cat·ed, e·quiv·o·cat·ing.

1. to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge:

   When asked directly for his position on disarmament, the candidate only equivocated.

   Synonyms: dodge, stall, evade

equivocate

/ ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt /

verb

1. intr to use vague or ambiguous language, esp in order to avoid speaking directly or honestly; hedge

Derived Forms

• eˈquivocatory, adjective
• eˈquivoˌcatingly, adverb
• eˈquivoˌcator, noun

Other Words From

• e·quivo·cating·ly adverb
• e·quivo·cator noun
• none·quivo·cating adjective
• oute·quivo·cate verb (used with object) outequivocated outequivocating
• une·quivo·cating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivocate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin aequivocātus, past participle of aequivocāre; equivocal, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivocate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin aequivocāre, from Late Latin aequivocus ambiguous, equivocal

Example Sentences

He didn’t equivocate and he did not lie to me to make himself look better.

From Salon

He didn’t equivocate and he did not lie to me to make himself look better.

From Salon

When we equivocate or fail to defend a President who has brought our nation back from the brink of ruin, all they sense is our fear, and all it does is embolden them.

From Salon

The protest of about 100 people was a sign that the discord on campus would probably continue despite Ms. Magill’s resignation, which many members of Penn’s community hoped would quell the outrage over testimony she gave at a congressional hearing that seemed to equivocate over whether students would be disciplined if they called for the genocide of the Jews.

From New York Times

Asked by a reporter last week whether he considered the Houthis a terrorist group, Mr. Biden did not equivocate.

From New York Times