equivocate

American  

[ih-kwiv-uh-keyt] / ɪˈkwɪv əˌkeɪt /

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

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equivocate British  

/ ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of equivocate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin aequivocātus, past participle of aequivocāre; equivocal, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Third, political leaders must stop equivocating when antisemitism appears in activist movements, universities or cultural institutions.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

From Salon

About 40% of lawmakers — nearly equally divided between Democrats and Republicans — surveyed said they didn’t intend to assert a special privilege to withhold their emails and other records, without equivocating.

From Seattle Times