equivocate

[ih-kwiv-uh-keyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR equivocate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), e·quiv·o·cat·ed, e·quiv·o·cat·ing.

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.

Origin of equivocate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin aequivocātus, past participle of aequivocāre; see equivocal, -ate¹

Related formse·quiv·o·cat·ing·ly, adverbe·quiv·o·ca·tor, nounnon·e·quiv·o·cat·ing, adjectiveout·e·quiv·o·cate, verb (used with object), out·e·quiv·o·cat·ed, out·e·quiv·o·cat·ing.un·e·quiv·o·cat·ing, adjective

Synonyms for equivocate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR equivocate ON THESAURUS.COM

evade, stall, dodge.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for equivocate

pussyfoot, shuffle, fence, sidestep, waffle, elude, evade, escape, prevaricate, lie, fib, flip-flop, fudge, falsify, dodge, tergiversate, palter, parry, cavil, hedge

Examples from the Web for equivocate

Contemporary Examples of equivocate

As Brookhiser fully appreciates—he does not equivocate or run from the truth—Lincoln was no radical, no abolitionist.
Lincoln Was the Founders’ Heir Apparent
Harvey J. Kaye
October 22, 2014

Historical Examples of equivocate

At least I equivocated, and to equivocate with one so loyal and simple was to deceive him.
White Lies
Charles Reade
She could not equivocate, neither could she go into details of a family history.
Hester's Counterpart
Jean K. Baird
Why suffer that lip I have kissed a thousand times to equivocate?
The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories
Mark Twain
I could not equivocate with this woman, I could no more lie to her sorrow than to the Judgment.
The Crossing
Winston Churchill
How could she equivocate, with her child lying dead in the house.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat
Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for equivocate

equivocate

verb

(intr) to use vague or ambiguous language, esp in order to avoid speaking directly or honestly; hedge

Derived Formsequivocatingly, adverbequivocator, nounequivocatory, adjective

Word Origin for equivocate

C15: from Medieval Latin aequivocāre, from Late Latin aequivocus ambiguous, equivocal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for equivocate

early 15c., equivocaten, from Medieval Latin equivocatus, past participle of equivocare "to call by the same name," from Late Latin aequivocus (see equivocation). Related: Equivocated; equivocating.