as in pretending
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Dissimilar Words
as in weaseling
to avoid giving a definite answer or position
the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equivocating
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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
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
Adjective
-
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The tech entrepreneur, who founded a fitness app and a financial management platform catering to young and wealthy customers, also characterizes Khanna’s stock trading as hypocritical since the congressman campaigns on easing inequality.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The permanent observer of the 22-nation Arab League, Maged Abdelaziz, suggested Israel was being hypocritical in justifying its military attack by saying it was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Working with 1 cutlet at a time, dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip in egg, letting excess drip back into bowl.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Doncic yelled at the crowd and ran down court shaking his head.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sailing aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bess are caught between the charming, terrifying pirate Long John Silver, and the debonair, duplicitous British agent Aaron Graham.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
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In his account, an international order run by a single power would hinder Russia and produce needless conflict, especially when that power was as self-serving and duplicitous as America.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Patricia Serio is waffling between Saint Xavier and Judson University to finish her degree.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Using artificial intelligence to compose a social media post in the wake of a tragedy, or using it to write a fan letter to an Olympic athlete, comes off as insincere.—
Gayle Rogers,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
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That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pearce took several evasive turns to get away from the officers, including cutting through a Chevron gas station and heading north on 102nd Avenue, according to the report.—
David Goodhue
March 12,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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In an era of diffuse, evasive conditions — autoimmune syndromes, long Lyme, long Covid — gout is unmistakable.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Health officials, starting with Anthony Fauci, had been untrustworthy, self-interested, and aching for power.—
David Blumenthal,
STAT,
24 Mar. 2026
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There’s something untrustworthy about Walter.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Equivocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocating. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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