deliberately vague

USAGE SUMMARY

"deliberately vague" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're talking about someone who chooses to be intentionally unclear or obscure when they are speaking or writing something. For example: "The professor's instructions were deliberately vague, leaving many of the students feeling frustrated and confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's deliberately vague.

Yale University

"Social" is a deliberately vague term.

The Economist

The Balfour declaration used deliberately vague language.

The New York Times - Books

His answer seemed deliberately vague.

The New Yorker

(I'm being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers).

The New York Times

Mr. Droste added that it's "deliberately vague".

The New York Times - Arts

Nato called the claim "deliberately vague".

The Guardian

The announced decision was deliberately vague.

The New York Times

Some of the group's suggestions were deliberately vague.

The New York Times - Sports

The Palestinians have been deliberately vague about their exact plans.

The New York Times

Yet, as a descriptive term, "cyber-bullying" feels deliberately vague.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberately vague" when you want to emphasize that the lack of clarity is intentional and often serves a specific purpose, such as avoiding commitment or maintaining flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately vague" to describe something that is simply unclear due to poor communication or lack of information. The phrase implies a conscious choice to be ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately vague" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that its lack of clarity is intentional. Ludwig provides many examples of this construction across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliberately vague" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe intentional ambiguity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's applicable in numerous contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic settings. Its purpose is to indicate that someone is consciously avoiding clarity, often for strategic reasons. While alternatives like "intentionally ambiguous" or "purposely unclear" exist, "deliberately vague" effectively conveys the intended meaning. When using this phrase, ensure that the lack of clarity is indeed intentional, distinguishing it from unintentional ambiguity. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility and appropriateness in describing a wide range of situations, from political statements to artistic expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with calculated ambiguity

Rephrases the original meaning, highlighting the intentional use of ambiguity.

intentionally ambiguous

Focuses on the presence of multiple possible interpretations, rather than just a lack of clarity.

purposely unclear

Highlights the intent behind the lack of clarity more directly.

calculatedly imprecise

Emphasizes that the lack of precision is not accidental but carefully planned.

artfully evasive

Suggests the vagueness is skillful and used to avoid a direct answer or commitment.

strategically indefinite

Indicates that the lack of a defined position serves a specific strategy or goal.

meant to be obscure

Directly states that the purpose is to make something not easily understood.

designedly nebulous

Similar to "deliberately vague" but emphasizes the lack of form or definition.

tactically equivocal

Suggests that the ambiguity is a tactic used in a negotiation or debate.

studiedly ambivalent

Emphasizes the appearance of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas, presented intentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately vague" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately vague" to describe statements, plans, or policies that are intentionally unclear. For example: "The company's response to the scandal was "deliberately vague", leaving room for interpretation".

What does "deliberately vague" mean?

"Deliberately vague" means intentionally lacking clarity or detail. It suggests a conscious decision to be ambiguous, often to avoid commitment or maintain flexibility.

What are some alternatives to "deliberately vague"?

Alternatives to "deliberately vague" include "intentionally ambiguous", "purposely unclear", or "calculatedly imprecise", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be "deliberately vague" or provide specific details?

Whether it's better to be "deliberately vague" or provide specific details depends on the situation. Sometimes, being "deliberately vague" can be useful for avoiding conflict or maintaining flexibility, but in other situations, providing specific details is necessary for clarity and transparency.