as in pretending
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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
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocating
Adjective
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There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His fall played as tabloid morality tale, at once confirming secular suspicion about hypocritical Christians and Christian suspicions about the temptations of secular trappings.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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And now, with several countries withdrawing from global governance, Jin thinks those lecturing China on being responsible are being hypocritical.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Structure information summary Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As a hero, Mauser is appealing; abrasive, cocky, and duplicitous but nonetheless charming, authentic, and intrepid.—
Julien Levy,
Rolling Stone,
27 Dec. 2025
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In the new installment, Elphaba (Erivo) tries to protect Oz’s besieged animal population from the duplicitous Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Marie helps clinch this fight against Godolkin, only after momentarily waffling on the ethics of how to use her powers.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
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Target was held accountable for waffling on their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One wrong look or insincere angle and the conversation can go sideways.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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The man whom Navarro likes to call the Boss seems to value insincere, or bought, obeisance—the flapping and fussing of a maître d’—more than heartfelt fandom, which lacks the piquancy of humiliation.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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But if a client is already frustrated, that same message can feel cold or evasive.—
Denise Turley,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
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Here's why crafting Arizona's budget this year could be even more evasive.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Within hours lies were flowing, predictably from a lawless and untrustworthy president and his dishonest DHS secretary, who blamed the victim in direct contradiction of video evidence.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
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In a conference full of untrustworthy teams, give me the quarterback (Drake Maye) and defense (Houston) that were most trustworthy in the regular season.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Equivocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocating. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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