equivocate
What does "equivocate" mean?
To equivocate is to use ambiguous or unclear language, especially with the intent to deceive or avoid committing to a specific position. The mental image is of someone walking a tightrope between two sides, carefully choosing words that could mean either "yes" or "no" depending on how they are interpreted later. This word is typically used in formal or intellectual contexts, such as political debates, legal testimonies, or philosophical arguments. It carries a negative connotation of dishonesty or cowardice; you would rarely describe someone as "equivocating" if they are simply being thoughtful, but rather when they are actively dodging a direct answer.
"equivocate" in conversation
Corporate meeting
Will we hit our quarterly targets or not?
Will we hit our quarterly targets or not?
The market is fluid, and we are currently evaluating our strategic positioning.
The market is fluid, and we are currently evaluating our strategic positioning.
Stop equivocating and give me a straight answer.
Stop equivocating and give me a straight answer.
The boss identifies the manager's vague language as an intentional attempt to avoid the truth.
Press conference
Do you support the new tax bill?
Do you support the new tax bill?
It has merits, but there are areas that require more scrutiny.
It has merits, but there are areas that require more scrutiny.
The politician is using non-committal language to avoid taking a side, which is a classic example of equivocation.
"equivocate" in a sentence
He tried to equivocate when asked about his whereabouts.
He tried to equivocate when asked about his whereabouts.
The witness equivocated so much that the judge demanded a simple yes or no.
The witness equivocated so much that the judge demanded a simple yes or no.
She refused to equivocate on the moral implications of the policy, standing firmly by her convictions.
She refused to equivocate on the moral implications of the policy, standing firmly by her convictions.
