equivocation

American  

[ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuhn] / ɪˌkwɪv əˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.

2. an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque.

   The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations.

3. Logic. a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

---

Etymology

Origin of equivocation

1350–1400; Middle English equivocacion < Late Latin aequivocātiōn- (stem of aequivocātiō ). See equivocate, -ion

Example Sentences

The highly politicized nature of national security debates tends to polarize opinions and leave little room for nuance and equivocation, which could be perceived as appeasement, he added.

From New York Times

Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “We want D.C. to be the face of spring for the nation. Let me say, without equivocation, that D.C. is open!”

From Seattle Times

Hall paints a full portrait of a selfish singer through his series of excuses and equivocations; he’s hung by his own words.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is time for Buhari to declare these beasts as the terrorists that they are and deploy all available resources to fight them. There can be no ifs, no buts, no equivocation."

From BBC

Not unless you acknowledged to me without equivocation 1. that you put your own vindication above their mental health, and 2. that you’d never do that again.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• prevarication