equivocation

[ ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.
2. an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque:

   The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations.

3. Logic. a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivocation¹

1350–1400; Middle English equivocacion < Late Latin aequivocātiōn- (stem of aequivocātiō ). See equivocate, -ion

Example Sentences

We could feel the equivocation.

From Slate

Norris said he would welcome such a decision, but with a degree of equivocation.

From BBC

During a visit to Sydney in November, Lachlan Murdoch called on News Corp's staff in Australia to "address and tackle" all forms of antisemitism and said there was "no room for equivocation" or fence-sitting on the issue.

From BBC

These great democratic leaders also framed the struggle with their opponents in stark, us-versus-them terms, and they used the language of good and evil without equivocation.

From Salon

Mr. Biden has made no public comments since last week when he said only briefly that he condemns “antisemitic protests” while also denouncing “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians,” a response that struck critics and even some allies as an equivocation that did not meet the moment.

From New York Times

Related Words

• prevarication