equivocate
To use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
Implies a deliberate, often sneaky attempt to mislead people without telling an outright lie, usually to protect oneself from taking blame.
Word relationships
- prevaricate: 'Prevaricate' is a very close synonym but often leans closer to outright lying or creating a false impression, while 'equivocate' specifically uses double-meanings.
- hedge: 'Hedge' is more informal and emphasizes protecting oneself against loss or commitment, whereas 'equivocate' emphasizes linguistic trickery.
- confront: 'Confront' means to face a situation or question directly and head-on, without evasion.
Commonly confused with
- vacillate: 'Vacillate' is internal hesitation (not knowing what to do), while 'equivocate' is external linguistic dodging (avoiding a clear answer).
Word family
- equivocation (noun): The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth.
- equivocal (adjective): Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
Collocations
- refuse to equivocate
- equivocate on an issue
- tendency to equivocate
Idioms & expressions
- beat around the bush
- speak with a double tongue
Example sentences
- "When asked directly if he would raise taxes, the candidate began to equivocate, speaking broadly about fiscal responsibility." A politician avoiding a direct question during a debate.
- "Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven." A classic literary reference to deception.
Memory hook
Think of 'equal voices' (equi-voc). If two voices inside you are speaking at the exact same volume, you aren't choosing either one, leaving your statement completely ambiguous. Equal voices lead to double talk.
When not to use
Do not use when someone is simply confused or speaking unclearly by accident; it requires an intent to evade.
Fun facts
- Shakespeare's mention of an 'equivocator' in Macbeth was a direct, topical reference to the trial of Father Henry Garnet, who had used equivocation during his trial for the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Related words
Explore more words
equivocal, prevaricate, prevarication, subterfuge, deceitful, Circumlocutory
Also appears in
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