Synonyms of equivocate

equivocate

verb

i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt 

as in to weasel

to avoid giving a definite answer or position

the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weasel
• shake
• dodge
• hedge
• evade
• waffle
• pussyfoot
• duck
• fudge
• eschew
• beat around the bush
• tergiversate
• elude
• shun
• hem and haw
• straddle the fence
• sidestep
• shirk
• cavil
• circumvent
• quibble
• flip-flop
• bypass
• skirt
• yo-yo
• straddle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb equivocate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of equivocate are fib, lie, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When might fib be a better fit than equivocate?

While in some cases nearly identical to equivocate, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use lie instead of equivocate?

While the synonyms lie and equivocate are close in meaning, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

Where would palter be a reasonable alternative to equivocate?

The synonyms palter and equivocate are sometimes interchangeable, but palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of equivocate?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of equivocate

For what seems like the first time, Casper equivocates. —Gary Greenberg, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025

And as politicians, these Supreme Court Justices are especially bristling, equivocating, and entitled, which doesn’t make for trustworthy narration. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025

During a May 19 town hall meeting with NIH staff members, Jay Bhattacharya, the institute’s new director, equivocated when asked about funding cuts for research into improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities — cuts made under the guise of purging DEI from the government. —Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 8 July 2025

Rather than working out a consistent line to counter Farage, Starmer has often equivocated. —Oliver Eagleton, Time, 5 July 2025