1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the evidence that this latest diet really results in lasting weight loss is certainly equivocal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
he responded to the reporter's questions with equivocal answers or refusals to comment
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3
as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings
a number of people are clearly equivocal about allowing casino gambling in the state
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equivocal
Still, even in those instances, Scott offers equivocal lessons.
—
Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Some conservative deficit hawks are much less equivocal.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2025
His contribution to the Wende exhibition stands out as a sweeping portrait of a surveillance state and the paradoxically equivocal picture that arises when hundreds of millions of video cameras are monitoring everything that happens in public.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Other experts, like Human Rights Watch founder Aryeh Neier are less equivocal, pointing to Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid flows into and through Gaza as a clear marker of a genocide.
—William Hartung, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Some conservative deficit hawks are much less equivocal.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2025
His contribution to the Wende exhibition stands out as a sweeping portrait of a surveillance state and the paradoxically equivocal picture that arises when hundreds of millions of video cameras are monitoring everything that happens in public.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Other experts, like Human Rights Watch founder Aryeh Neier are less equivocal, pointing to Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid flows into and through Gaza as a clear marker of a genocide.
—William Hartung, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocal
Adjective
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The market was split between natural products that didn’t perform and luxury beauty loaded with questionable ingredients.—
Megan Bruneau,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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However, based on the questionable quality of the data, not all experts are convinced that the AI model is accurate.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous Soon after his arrival in Saigon, Andrews mistakes an advertisement for a dubious massage parlor as a clue from a local contact.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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That’s negativity bias in action—the cognitive reflex to prioritize potential threats over neutral or positive cues, especially when the situation is ambiguous.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The assassination of a former House Speaker in Minnesota sent shock waves throughout the political world, but lawmakers were unsure Monday if the violence will lead to long-term security changes in Connecticut.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
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The middle manager stretched thin, unsure if their role is next to be automated.—
Daisy Auger-Domínguez,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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But another piece of it is in the dubious nature of the state’s creation.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
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Pair that with a Republican reconciliation bill that increases tax giveaways while refusing to rein in even the most dubious Medicaid expansions, and the message is unmistakable: Washington is still in giveaway mode.—
Fatima Hussein,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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Alongside firsthand accounts from cops, journalists, and survivors, the series unpacks how fear spread through the streets, fueled by cryptic letters, a frenzied press, and a killer who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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One of Willy’s favorite things to do to his characters was to leave them in a conflicted, confused, ambivalent moral impasse about race.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
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Though there was much scrutiny in the beginning, Ward added that the network was ambivalent toward the show.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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For one conflicted athlete, this was the most compelling reason to continue competing.—
Calum Marsh,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2025
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There’s no macho posturing between the two guys – instead, Song has written them each as decent suitors to Johnson’s conflicted Lucy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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To be sure, the uncertain economy could weigh on consumer spending in the near term, impacting online purchases.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
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Overall, the challenges highlighted by business leaders included uncertain economic conditions (55 percent), tariffs (41 percent), and revenue and sales growth (41 percent).—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equivocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocal. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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