unequivocal

adjective

un·​equiv·​o·​cal ˌən-i-ˈkwi-və-kəl 

1

: leaving no doubt : clear, unambiguous

2

: unquestionable

production of unequivocal masterpieces

—Carole Cook

Synonyms

• apparent
• bald
• bald-faced
• barefaced
• bright-line
• broad
• clear
• clear-cut
• crystal clear
• decided
• distinct
• evident
• lucid
• luculent
• luminous
• manifest
• nonambiguous
• obvious
• open-and-shut
• palpable
• patent
• pellucid
• perspicuous
• plain
• ringing
• straightforward
• transparent
• unambiguous
• unambivalent
• unmistakable

Example Sentences

Her answer was an unequivocal yes.

few of the candidates have yet staked out unequivocal positions on the hot-button issues

Recent Examples on the Web

Reaction to the impending departure of Jefferson County public health officer Dr. Mark Wilson was swift and unequivocal. —Roy S. Johnson | [e-mail], al, 18 Feb. 2023

Cheney was unequivocal, laying blame for the attack on the defeated president and his false claims of voter fraud and a rigged election. —Lisa Mascaro, Chron, 17 Aug. 2022

But when word of her comments made its way back to the U.S., the response was swift and unequivocal. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2022

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) reports on climate change mitigation and its impacts on vulnerable communities are unequivocal: The climate crisis is rapidly accelerating, disproportionately impacting those who’ve done the least to create it. —Jacqueline Novogratz, Fortune, 20 May 2022

Overall, the pace of sea level rise is accelerating globally, and scientists have been unequivocal that seas will continue to rise well into the future, even if humans manage to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions. —Chris Mooney And Brady Dennis, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Apr. 2023

Scientists are unequivocal, said Robinson. —Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2023

But while many people in their 50s and 60s thrive living solo, research is unequivocal that people aging alone experience worse physical and mental health outcomes and shorter life spans. —Robert Gebeloff, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unequivocal

adjective

un·​equiv·​o·​cal ˌən-i-ˈkwiv-ə-kəl 

: leaving no doubt : clear, unambiguous

an unequivocal refusal

unequivocally

-k(ə-)lē

adverb