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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of equivocate 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 However, Trump equivocated in a longer version of the answer that aired later on the network. Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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 Countries can hedge their bets or equivocate by playing one power off the other. Jorge Heine, The Conversation, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocate
Verb
  • So, that was a good learning experience and a humbling experience of being on the outside and trying to weasel my way in.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025
  • So if an extra (and questionable) ingredient weasels its way into the formula, and the supplement hits the market, there's not much the FDA can do besides send companies a warning letter to recall the supplement.
    Julia Forbes, Wired News, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Equivocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on equivocate

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