weasel word
2
8.3
- noun
- /ˈwiːzəl wɜrd/
- Literature
:
palabra evasiva
- In politics, candidates often rely on weasel words to avoid taking a clear stance on issues.
- hiding behind weasel words
Examples
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Therefore, I would strongly suggest we avoid the weasel word "democratic" in any title given to our new Party.
Blog text (31) -
Ah, yes, and I noticed all the weasel words Mr. Taylor used, but I'm not letting him get away with this statement.
Blog text (7) -
Always watch for those little weasel words...
Blog text (1) -
Frank interrupts again saying, "Excuse me, 'great concerns' is kind of a weasel word."
Blog text (8) -
The whole article is full of weasel words and supposition.
Blog text (11) -
Again, there are some weasel words that could be used to really restrict provincial participation.
Academic text (2000) -
Instead, she offers pleasing weasel words about being "attacked on the basis of race."
Blog text (28) -
In his more public statements, he seemed to incorporate weasel words in order to not be labeled an outright liar.
Blog text (18) -
Similar accusations and weasel words were famously leveled against the author Salman Rushdie.
Blog text (27) -
I'm tired of the weasel-word diversions and apologetics for this flawed process now flooding the blogs.
Blog text (22)
Synonyms
12
6.6
An indirect statement that hides an unpleasant truth
9
7.5
A statement that avoids giving a clear answer
9
7.1
An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something
9
9.9
Using unclear language to hide the truth and avoid giving a clear answer
8
6.1
A clever trick used to avoid answering a question
6
9.0
Confusing speech that hides the truth, often to avoid a direct answer
6
9.3
Language that hides the truth by using vague or confusing words
3
9.9
To avoid telling the truth by being vague or misleading
1
9.2
Using many words to avoid saying something directly
Making vague statements to avoid giving a direct answer
Antonyms
5
2.1
A message that clearly shows someone's opinion or decision and is easy to understand
How Vague
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound combines the literal 'word' with the figurative sense of 'weasel' (an evasive or deceitful person), so a learner who knows both parts can plausibly infer it refers to language used to evade or mislead. However, this is a metaphorical extension requiring pragmatic knowledge of rhetorical devices, so the precise nuance is not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
The noun weasel word comes from an old image of a weasel sucking out the inside of an egg and leaving only the empty shell. Just as the shell looks full but is empty, a weasel word is a word or phrase that sounds like real information but hides the truth, so people use it 'to avoid a clear answer'.