equivocating 1 of 2

adjective

as in pretending

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equivocating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of equivocate
as in weaseling
to avoid giving a definite answer or position the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 equivocating
Adjective
Yet Hiller’s latest equivocating mea culpa, with the now-familiar language of hardship and defeatism so unbecoming of a professional hockey team, rang unconvincing. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
This was after much pressing and equivocating, number one. — CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 But the judge’s equivocating ruling in that piracy case created a loophole, according to Anthropic’s lawyers. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026 While Abigail Spanberger stood with her running mate Jay Jones and his murderous fantasies, and evaded every direct question including equivocating over men being in locker rooms with girls. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocating
  1. pretending
  2. shaking
  3. hypocritical
  4. waffling
  5. duplicitous
  6. insincere
  7. evasive
  8. untrustworthy
Adjective
  • There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.
    — Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Definition of pretending
Verb
  • The set creates a good seal while remaining easy to take apart—even after creating high pressure by dry shaking egg whites.
    — Justine Sterling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
  • Lindsay Clancy cried, her shoulders shaking, during the doctor's testimony.
    — Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of shaking
Adjective
  • Some players cited the league’s partnerships with sports betting companies as hypocritical or even laying the foundation for this sort of scandal.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • Amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would still need only a statewide majority — a distinction critics call hypocritical.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Verb
  • The tournament’s special status — its unwillingness to place any person above the sport — is part of why Williams wanted to play singles, not just doubles with her sister Venus, after waffling on the decision.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of waffling
Adjective
  • The more beautiful a woman, the more likely her exterior attributes displayed a duplicitous nature.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • Even actors whose roles have limited scope, like Zendaya, Nyong’o, Hawkins and Mia Goth as Penelope’s duplicitous maid, register as vital presences.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of duplicitous
Adjective
  • Not everyone believes, however, that the line is insincere.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • And so, open door policies rarely fail because leaders are insincere.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of insincere
Adjective
  • Many flying insects include evasive maneuvers into their routine flying patterns.
    — Rachel Sargent Mirus, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Yale sees things differently, and its filings portray Rignol as stalling and evasive.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of evasive
Adjective
  • Indeed, El Niño’s complexity limited the researchers’ simulations to two years; beyond that, the model becomes untrustworthy.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
  • The local gendarmerie, led by blandly untrustworthy Inspector Marchal (Bertrand Belin) is called in to investigate.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026
Definition of untrustworthy

Browse Nearby Words

equivocates
equivocating
equivocation
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Cite this Entry

“Equivocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocating. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on equivocating

Nglish: Translation of equivocating for Spanish Speakers

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