DEFINITIONS
The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...

equivocate

[ ih-kwiv-uh-keyt ]
/ ɪˈkwɪv əˌkeɪt /
SEE 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.

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Words related to equivocate

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

Words nearby equivocate

equivalent focal length, equivalent weight, equivalve, equivocal, equivocally, equivocate, equivocation, equivoque, equuleus, er, er rif

Origin of equivocate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM equivocate

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

Examples 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, 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