as in to weasel
to avoid giving a definite answer or position
the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in ambiguity
deliberate evasion in speech
your equivocation when asked where you were last night is not reassuring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equivocate
James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
When leaders equivocate, moral clarity collapses into tribal calculation, and the targeting of Jews is treated as unfortunate instead of urgent.
—Jay Rosenzweig, Time, 14 Dec. 2025
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Tuesday's result capped a tumultuous final month that saw national Republican condemnation, Democratic hesitation and equivocation, and a barrage of attack ads.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
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
When leaders equivocate, moral clarity collapses into tribal calculation, and the targeting of Jews is treated as unfortunate instead of urgent.
—Jay Rosenzweig, Time, 14 Dec. 2025
Noun
Silence or equivocation in moments like this is itself consequential.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Tuesday's result capped a tumultuous final month that saw national Republican condemnation, Democratic hesitation and equivocation, and a barrage of attack ads.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocate
Verb
-
Microsoft now feels that OpenAI is trying to weasel its way around this clause, with both companies’ lawyers fighting for weeks over the latter’s agreement with Amazon, sources told the FT.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
19 Mar. 2026
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The pair cling to each other over the coming weeks despite R.C’s increasing mistrust of Peter and Jerry’s determination to weasel his way back into Agnes’ life.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Markets didn’t love that ambiguity.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There’s little room for ambiguity.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the clock finally ran out, Auriemma walked straight to the tunnel and didn’t shake hands.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The UConn players and assistant coaches shook hands with the South Carolina coaches and players after the game but Auriemma walked off the court after the game.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Then again, with a market cap of about $405 billion, last week’s audience-deficiency shuffle isn’t about to send Netflix to the poorhouse.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But in terms of its actual content, the statement was pretty thin gruel, bristling with public relations-style circumlocution and vagueness.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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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
“Equivocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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