1
as in ambiguity
deliberate evasion in speech
your equivocation when asked where you were last night is not reassuring
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2
as in ambiguousness
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the equivocation of the last line of the poem, "That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know"
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Recent Examples of equivocation
The film attempts some equivocation with the enemy: while the sword-wielding commanding officer (Taki Abe) is a monster; the army engineer in charge of construction (Masa Yamaguchi) just wants to get the job done.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Now, no public voice is permitted much equivocation.
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The equivocation over the ground invasion reflects Mr. Netanyahu’s need to satisfy far-right cabinet ministers, who are pushing for the full re-occupation of Gaza, and Israel’s top generals, who believe such a move would be difficult to sustain and dangerous to hostages held in Gaza.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The very title of the exhibition, the first Conceptualist project to use photocopy as a medium, signals a deliberate equivocation over nothing less than the ontology of the art object.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocation
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Now, no public voice is permitted much equivocation.
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The equivocation over the ground invasion reflects Mr. Netanyahu’s need to satisfy far-right cabinet ministers, who are pushing for the full re-occupation of Gaza, and Israel’s top generals, who believe such a move would be difficult to sustain and dangerous to hostages held in Gaza.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 19 May 2025
The very title of the exhibition, the first Conceptualist project to use photocopy as a medium, signals a deliberate equivocation over nothing less than the ontology of the art object.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocation
Noun
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This framework not only aligns closely with other critical global standards but also underscores the need for professionals who are uniquely trained to navigate ambiguity, challenge assumptions and design with empathy.—
Guy Diedrich,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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A number of analysts argue that the latest NATO defense spending targets contain ambiguities that may skirt core commitments.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For example, the nuance of human locomotion sometimes gets lost in the generative shuffle, producing people who appear to walk backward.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
5 Aug. 2025
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Earlier this month, Broadnax proposed a $6.3 billion austerity budget that calls for a shuffle of police and firefighter staffing, a drawdown of money to help build affordable housing and the use of $14.1 million in reserves to offset limited property tax revenue.—
Ella McCarthy,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Their circumlocutions were as entrancing as their ability to find the most precisely ironic words for difficult-to-name realities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
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Here, instead, she’s swayed by a dead Diana softly squeezing her hand and kindly hinting — the dead Diana is an ace at tactful circumlocution — that now is the time to show a mourning nation some emotion.—
Tom Gliatto,
Peoplemag,
16 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Equivocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocation. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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