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

Republicans, meanwhile, have railed at what they characterized as equivocating or silence by Democrats.

From Seattle Times

The way you get a longer war is by equivocating and by making your support contingent on too many variables.

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

About 40% of lawmakers — nearly equally divided between Democrats and Republicans — surveyed said they didn’t intend to assert a special privilege to withhold their emails and other records, without equivocating.

From Seattle Times