as in pretending
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
There can be no more pretending, briefing or hiding.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Fellow Democrats Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villaraigosa attack Swalwell and Porter as hypocritical, pointing to their own stricter stances on federal immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Democrats, who have routinely fought for stricter gun laws, flatly called the Republican stance on Pretti’s gun hypocritical in interviews with The Star.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Virtually all the players, and often their caddies, make a point of coming over and shaking hands with the servicemen.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the hardest part of the novel wasn’t scripting the scheming, backstabbing, or duplicitous behavior.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Etta Avenue Hendrix Velvet Loveseat In the show, the cast often gathers on a soft-looking teal couch to discuss the duplicitous dealings of their fellow castle-dwellers.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Target was held accountable for waffling on their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Which is not to say that Amodei is being insincere.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Then again, Friday’s show was a reminder that much of Rascal Flatts’ output can get overly glossy and insincere, so maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Cast members have been evasive to the point of parody.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
-
People will create companions based on a few traits and a general vibe – ‘supportive but evasive’, ‘confident but conflict avoidant’, ‘direct, honest, and smarter than me’.—
Shaw Walters,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
An untrustworthy future tempts us to either disengage, retreat into cynicism, or live angry.—
Phillip Halpern,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Equivocating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocating. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
