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evasiveness

evasiveness

3 7.4
Avoiding giving a direct answer so people do not know what you really think
  • noun
  • /ɪˈveɪsɪvnəs/
: evasividad
  • Of course, Duncan's evasiveness about the "boyfriends" question isn't helping any.

And we live long enough now where they see multiple generations of evasiveness and unhappiness really.

Examples

  • Part of the mild evasiveness on the issue was politics, sure.

    Blog text (8)
  • Getting a little tired of your evasiveness.

  • "With God, all things are possible, Nathan." "I know that," he said, frustrated by her evasiveness.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Hence the doublespeak and evasiveness.

    Blog text (18)
  • "Sensing the mother’s evasiveness, the little girl draws watchfully close, with an important sense of participation in family affairs.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • History News Network suggests that Mitt Romney's evasiveness about how he plans to tackle America's problems is reminiscent of the failed strategy of Harry Truman.

    Blog text (7)
  • The politician's evasiveness during the interview raised suspicions among the reporters.

  • Her evasiveness when asked about her plans left everyone wondering what she was hiding.

  • His constant evasiveness made it difficult for the team to reach a consensus on the project.

Synonyms

equivocation
vsevasiveness
  • Formal
9 9.9

Using unclear language to hide the truth and avoid giving a clear answer

is the general tendency to stay vague rather than to deceive specifically
evasion
vsevasiveness
6 6.6

An indirect statement that hides an unpleasant truth

is the overall tendency to be vague rather than one specific indirect statement
prevarication
vsevasiveness
  • Formal
3 9.9

To avoid telling the truth by being vague or misleading

is the general habit of avoiding direct answers rather than focused lying
dodging
vsevasiveness
3 5.6

Avoiding responsibility or difficult questions by using tricks

is mainly about being intentionally vague in speech rather than avoiding duties
indirection
vsevasiveness
2 8.8

Saying or doing things in a roundabout way instead of being direct

is the quality of intentional vagueness rather than the tactic of indirect methods
circumlocution
vsevasiveness
1 9.2

Using many words to avoid saying something directly

is the general avoidance of direct answers rather than long wordy speech
hedging
vsevasiveness
1 7.5

Making vague statements to avoid giving a direct answer

is the broader quality of vague avoidance rather than the tactic of noncommitment
hedge
vsevasiveness
1 7.5

A statement that avoids giving a clear answer

is the general pattern of vagueness rather than a single uncertain reply
indirectness
vsevasiveness
1 6.1

Not saying something clearly to avoid offending someone or to hide the real meaning

implies deliberate avoidance of direct answers rather than general lack of clarity
obliqueness
vsevasiveness
1 8.9

Not saying things in a direct, clear way

focuses specifically on intentional vagueness to avoid clear answers rather than mere indirectness
runaround
vsevasiveness
  • Informal
1 7.7

Giving answers that avoid a clear solution and delay help

is the general trait of avoiding direct answers rather than procedural delay
tergiversation
vsevasiveness
  • Formal
1 9.9

Avoiding a clear answer by speaking in vague words

is the broader quality of being intentionally vague rather than a single act
quick deflection
vsevasiveness
7.3

A short answer that avoids the question

is an enduring quality of vagueness rather than a single abrupt reply
mealiness
vsevasiveness
9.0

Indirect words or actions that hide true meaning

is a neutral quality of being vague rather than necessarily insincere speech

Antonyms

181 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

7 3.4

Honest, clear words and actions that say exactly what you mean

How Evasive

evasiveness
3 7.4
reserve
7 5.2
openness
30 3.5

Surface Forms

evasiveness singular
evasivenesses plural

Morphology

evasiveness = evasive (transparent) = evasive + ness

Formed by adding the productive noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the familiar adjective 'evasive', yielding the quality of being evasive.

Etymology

Evasiveness comes from the Latin word evadere, made of e- 'out' and vadere 'to go', and it gives us the verb evade. Think of someone stepping out of the way instead of answering a question; that's why evasiveness means avoiding a clear, direct answer.