equivocate

USAGE SUMMARY

'equivocate' is a legitimate word in English and is used to mean deliberately avoiding giving a clear answer or avoiding making a decision.
Example sentence: The politician was accused of equivocating on the issue of taxes, never committing to a firm stance on the matter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And if he asked what was wrong with her I wasn't going to equivocate because equivocation — any kind of uncertainty, a tremor in the voice, a tonal shift, playacting — is the surest lie detector.

The New Yorker

Chafee is likely the only presidential candidate to endorse the metric system and equivocate on Isis.

The Guardian

Costolo continued: "So now we're going to fix it, and I'm going to take full responsibility for making sure that the people working night and day on this have the resources they need to address the issue, that there are clear lines of responsibility and accountability, and that we don't equivocate in our decisions and choices".

The Guardian - Tech

No, you equivocate here and there but are still plainly in the Obama camp.And then you tell us, laughably really, that the Republicans ought to mimic David Cameron's winning electoral recipe in Britain.

The Economist

The firm now insists that price information must no longer come directly from traders, with an incentive to lie or at least equivocate, but from back-office staff instead.

The Economist

The way to do so is not to equivocate between democrats and autocrats, as Lula seems to think.

The Economist

Either arrangement would wreck Ukraine's dream of integrating with the European Union and NATO.Even the whiff of peace will encourage some Europeans to argue that Mr Putin need not be punished further just as there were some who used his denials of involvement as a pretext to equivocate.

The Economist

In the first issue of The Liberator he stated his views on slavery vehemently: "I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation.… I am in earnest—I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD".

Encyclopedia Britannica

You can equivocate and give a rational economic argument why preferences to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries should be stopped but it is not okay to do it in such peremptory fashion," he says.

Independent

To equivocate on that question is to commit suicide by media cop.

Independent

"So now we're going to fix it, and I'm going to take full responsibility for making sure that the people working night and day on this have the resources they need to address the issue, that there are clear lines of responsibility and accountability, and that we don't equivocate in our decisions and choices".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equivocate" when you want to describe someone's deliberate attempt to avoid a clear or direct answer, particularly when they might be trying to mislead.

Common error

Avoid using "equivocate" as a direct synonym for lying. While it involves a lack of clarity, "equivocate" focuses on the ambiguity of the statement, not necessarily the intent to deceive, which is central to lying.

Linguistic Context

The verb "equivocate" functions to describe the act of speaking ambiguously or vaguely, often with the intent to avoid committing to a particular stance or to mislead. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms this primary function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equivocate" means to use ambiguous language, often to mislead or avoid commitment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While similar to phrases like "be evasive" or "beat around the bush", "equivocate" emphasizes the deliberate use of ambiguity. When writing, use "equivocate" to accurately describe the act of avoiding a clear answer, but avoid using it as a direct synonym for lying, which implies intent to deceive. Remember, context is key when choosing whether to be direct or to ""equivocate"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevaricate

Similar to "equivocate", but implies a more deliberate intention to deceive.

speak ambiguously

Describes the act of using unclear or vague language.

be evasive

Focuses on avoiding the question rather than using ambiguous language.

hedge

Suggests making qualifications or conditions to avoid a direct statement.

dodge the question

Focuses specifically on avoiding answering a direct question.

beat around the bush

An idiomatic way of describing indirectness and avoiding the main point.

be noncommittal

Focuses on avoiding making a firm decision or taking a definite stance.

parry

Implies skill and strategy in evading an issue, often in debate.

sidestep

Suggests agility in avoiding a topic or responsibility.

mince words

Indicates a lack of directness, often to avoid causing offense.

FAQs

How can I use "equivocate" in a sentence?

You can use "equivocate" to describe someone avoiding a direct answer. For example, "The politician tended to "equivocate" on controversial topics, giving vague responses".

What's a simple way to describe what it means to "equivocate"?

To "equivocate" means to speak in a way that is intentionally vague or ambiguous, often to avoid committing to a specific position or answer. It's similar to "being evasive" or "beating around the bush".

What can I say instead of "equivocate"?

Alternatives to "equivocate" include "prevaricate", "hedge", or "dodge the question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be direct or to "equivocate" in communication?

Whether to be direct or to "equivocate" depends on the situation. Directness is usually preferred for clarity, but sometimes "equivocating" might be necessary to avoid causing offense or revealing sensitive information.