equivocally
Americanadverb
-
in a deliberately ambiguous or questionable way.
-
in a way that is doubtful in nature or of uncertain significance.
Etymology
Origin of equivocally
First recorded in 1575–85, for an earlier sense; equivocal ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
Less obviously, but also less equivocally, Sjon is a prodigious student of the techniques of earthbound fiction.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.