equivocate
[ ih-kwiv-uh-keyt ]
/ ɪˈkwɪv əˌkeɪt /
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.
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Origin of equivocate
OTHER WORDS FROM equivocate
Words nearby equivocate
equivalent focal length, equivalent weight, equivalve, equivocal, equivocally, equivocate, equivocation, equivoque, Equuleus, er, era
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for equivocate
British Dictionary definitions for equivocate
equivocate
/ (ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt) /
verb
(intr) to use vague or ambiguous language, esp in order to avoid speaking directly or honestly; hedge
Derived forms of equivocate
equivocatingly, adverbequivocator, nounequivocatory, adjectiveWord Origin for equivocate
C15: from Medieval Latin aequivocāre, from Late Latin aequivocus ambiguous, equivocal
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