Equivocate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Equivocate is a verb meaning (transitive) To render equivocal or ambiguous.
Meaning
(transitive) To render equivocal or ambiguous.
More Meanings
- (intransitive) To speak using double meaning; to speak ambiguously, unclearly or doubtfully, with intent to deceive; to vacillate in one's answers, responding with equivoques.
Example Sentences
He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation
All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate.
Knock. Knock, knock. Who's there in th'other Deuils Name? Faith here's an Equiuocator, that could ſweare in both the Scales againſt eyther Scale, who committed Treaſon enough for Gods ſake, yet could not equiuocate to Heauen: oh come in, Equiuocator.
Word Forms
- equivocates
- equivocating
- equivocated
Synonyms for equivocate
Depending on context, synonyms include prevaricate, evade, shuffle, adumbrate, palter, tergiversate.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include tergiversate, palter, prevaricate, riddle, punt, boggle.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.