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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as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the intriguing equivocalness of her statement kept everyone guessing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocal
Adjective
-
While many supplements are questionable at best, some of the hype about creatine seems warranted; even the International Olympic Committee has it on a short list of four supplements that are largely safe and proven effective for athletes.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
28 May 2025
-
She is officially labeled as questionable to play against the Liberty.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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At first unsure, Ester allows the guy to touch her, and as a viewer the scene is ambiguous.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
24 May 2025
-
The camera flies out over the water, and neither Cecilie nor the audience gets a definitive answer, with the series coming to an ambiguous and unsettling end.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of a water allergy.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
-
The letter said that educators who were unsure of their responsibility were not given guidance or support about what to do.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Jurisdictional role ambiguity adds another layer of complexity.—
Khurram Akhtar,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Critics say ambiguities in the law are part of the problem George Wyeth, a visiting scholar at the Environmental Law Institute, says the law is still concerning.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sakara also has health supplements (which can be scientifically dubious), like a metabolism booster and fulvic acid cell reset.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
-
Republican consultant Kevin Madden, who was a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, was dubious about her chances in either race.—
Michael R. Blood,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Before Tessitore and Barrett could finish arguing, the screen cut out to a cryptic promo from Uncle Howdy, who teased coming after the Tag Team Titles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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On Thursday, May 29, the 20-year-old shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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If the show had portrayed one or both of them as ambivalent about the idea of being a parent — whether in general or in this broken, scary world in particular — then the idea of them staying would have made more emotional sense.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2025
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In one of several photos released by the zoo on Friday, the rest of the herd appears ambivalent to Annie’s growing celebrity.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The poll shows that Americans remain conflicted over constitutional rights for immigrants, with 45 percent agreeing that First Amendment free speech should apply to all, regardless of legal status, while 43 percent believe undocumented migrants should not receive any constitutional rights.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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Kirby transformed superheroes from two-dimensional cops with capes into layered, conflicted individuals.—
Michael Callahan,
Air Mail,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equivocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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