equivocate

[ih-kwiv-uh-keyt]

verb (used without object)

equivocated, equivocating 

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

Other Word Forms

• equivocatingly adverb
• equivocator noun
• nonequivocating adjective
• outequivocate verb (used with object)
• unequivocating adjective
• equivocatory 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

The world must know: In the face of evil, America does not flinch, does not equivocate and does not reward those who murder our friends and threaten the Judeo-Christian West.

From Los Angeles Times

Veterans of the space community reflected on the 2017 document, conspicuously silent on budgets and timelines, equivocating between excitement and concern.

From Los Angeles Times

But he has equivocated over how to get there, sometimes leaning into the threat of force, other times pushing the diplomacy.

From BBC

When asked directly about the war’s beginning and if Russia had invaded, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth equivocated, telling a Fox News host that it was “a very complicated situation.”

From Salon

He didn’t equivocate and he did not lie to me to make himself look better.

From Salon