equivocate 1 of 2

verb

i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt How to pronounce equivocate (audio)
Definition of equivocatenext
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

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equivocation

2 of 2

noun

i-ˌkwi-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce equivocation (audio)
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb equivocate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of equivocate are fib, lie, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When might fib be a better fit than equivocate?

While in some cases nearly identical to equivocate, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use lie instead of equivocate?

While the synonyms lie and equivocate are close in meaning, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

Where would palter be a reasonable alternative to equivocate?

The synonyms palter and equivocate are sometimes interchangeable, but palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of equivocate?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

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 equivocate
Verb
Brooks, for his part, equivocated … A bout of frantic rebranding ensued. — Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 The question of who stands against this darkness — and who equivocates — will be determined by civilizational identity. — Calev Myers, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
When Burrows renewed talk of a takeover, Javier Martinez, speaker of the New Mexico House, responded without equivocation. — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026 When Burrows renewed talk of a takeover, Javier Martinez, speaker of the New Mexico House, responded without equivocation. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocate
  1. weasel
  2. shake
Verb
  • From there, the Giants remained deadlocked in a 1-1 tie until the 10th, though San Francisco’s relievers had to weasel their way out of trouble to keep the game tied.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • The iconic bunny costume moment, when Elle is tricked into showing up to a non-costume party wearing a Playboy bunny get-up, was the catalyst for exploring how Elle was able to shake that humiliation off.
    — Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
  • This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of shake

Browse Nearby Words

equivocalness
equivocate
equivocated
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Cite this Entry

“Equivocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on equivocate

Nglish: Translation of equivocate for Spanish Speakers

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