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
Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
The policy initiatives that emerge, unsurprisingly, have an air of indecision and equivocating.
—Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2019
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Now, no public voice is permitted much equivocation.
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Verb
But plans were never set in stone, and Irvine equivocated as to where in the city the cemetery should go.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
The policy initiatives that emerge, unsurprisingly, have an air of indecision and equivocating.
—Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2019
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocate
Verb
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Despite her best efforts, Keith, who is serving life in prison, tries to weasel his way back into her life.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
22 July 2025
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One of Wishman’s most Sapphic films is this gritty black-and-white sexploitation shocker about assassins who weasel their way into an apartment shared by two lesbians in order to kill a foreign dignitary.—
Erik Piepenburg,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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
Verb
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Han shook off criticisms of the small ring by also noting that both Belly and Jeremiah are college students on a budget.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Netflix is back out looking for a director for Fast and Loose, after Michael Bay and Will Smith were unable to bridge creative differences and Bay shook loose of the film Wednesday.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
7 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
“Equivocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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