weasel word

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noun

a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing.

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Origin of weasel word

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

OTHER WORDS FROM weasel word

weasel-worded, adjective

Words nearby weasel word

weary, weasand, weasel, weaselly, weasel out, weasel word, weasel words, weather, weatherability, weather advisory, weather balloon

How to use weasel word in a sentence

This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
Fergie Dives Into Prince Andrew’s Sex Scandal|Tom Sykes|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But news of the classes is spread mainly by word of mouth, and participants bring along their friends and families.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread|IranWire|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Back in Iran, he once got word that the Iranians were going to raid a village where his men were stationed.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can't be undone.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
When we were mounted Mac leaned over and muttered an admonitory word for Piegan's ear alone.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Now for the tempering of the Gudgeons, I leave it to the judgment of the Workman; but a word or two of the polishing of it.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
Huxley quotes with satirical gusto Dr. Wace's declaration as to the word "Infidel."
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

Other Idioms and Phrases with weasel word

weasel word

A word used to deprive a statement of its force or evade a direct commitment, as in Calling it “organized spontaneity” is using a weasel word; “organized” has sucked the meaning out of “spontaneity.” This idiom may allude to the weasel's habit of sucking the contents out of a bird's egg, so that only the shell remains. [Late 1800s]

weasel word

Origin of weasel word

OTHER WORDS FROM weasel word

Words nearby weasel word

Words related to weasel word

How to use weasel word in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with weasel word