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
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
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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Cabello’s strength lies not only in his evasive tactics but in his street-level network.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cole’s attorneys argued that the government has not presented any evidence that suggests evasive conduct or resistance to law enforcement.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Zermatt has earned its reputation for untrustworthy weather – the valley can get completely socked in at any time of year.—
Rick Steves,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Audio recordings previously obtained by the Observer and other news outlets featured McFadden berating staff, calling them untrustworthy and calling a white captain a racial slur.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Equivocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocating. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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