weasel words

plural noun

1. informal.
   intentionally evasive or misleading speech; equivocation

Derived Forms

• ˈweasel-ˌworded, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of weasel words¹

C20: alluding to the weasel's supposed ability to suck an egg out of its shell without seeming to break the shell

Example Sentences

When he even pretended to be moderate on abortion with his weasel words around the Florida ban, anti-choice activists threw a fit.

From Salon

"The field is replete with weasel words and unfortunately one of those is consciousness," says Prof Stevan Harnad of Quebec University.

From BBC

“The U.S. has limited itself to blatant weasel words claiming that Julian can ‘seek to raise’ the First Amendment if extradited,” his wife, Stella Assange, said.

From Seattle Times

Stella Assange said the “so-called assurances” were made up of “weasel words.”

From Seattle Times

“Escaping accountability based on weasel words and technical language, like not being a ‘beneficiary’ of WHO assistance is unacceptable,” said Larry Gostin, chair of global health at Georgetown University.

From Seattle Times