equivocally

[ih-kwiv-uh-klee]

adverb

1. in a deliberately ambiguous or questionable way.

2. in a way that is doubtful in nature or of uncertain significance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivocally¹

First recorded in 1575–85, for an earlier sense; equivocal ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

A moment later, however, Mr. Gilliam added, somewhat equivocally, that “being inspired by laundry on a line has made me famous, so I won’t knock that.”

From Washington Post

But Ryan Rosser, a current member of the Columbus fugitive task force, testified on behalf of Meade that he couldn’t equivocally say whether Meade was acting as a sheriff’s deputy that day.

From Seattle Times

Drawing on John Locke, he observed that “no language is so copious as to supply words and phrases for every complex idea, or so correct as not to include many equivocally denoting different ideas.”

From Washington Post

Astros owner Jim Crane said the team takes domestic violence seriously, while the league equivocally said it would “interview those involved before commenting further”.

From The Guardian

This is hardly the first time that Americans have been presented with this question, needless to say, and they have often answered equivocally.

From Washington Post