equivocation
9
9.9
- noun
- /ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/
- Formal
- In a debate, he often resorted to equivocation instead of addressing the questions directly.
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeLet the American people know what what he wants quite without equivocation and without doubt and don't back down.
- Let the American people know what what he wants quite without equivocation and without doubt and don't back down.
- So the equivocation of those things is this ambiguity used to deceive.
- So isn't there a equivocation between the word selfish and selfishness, the action you're on?
- When we say something is an equivocal term or there's an equivocation on, on that term or that it's ambiguous.
- What's going on here is an equivocation in in a different way.
- This is a return at the core of a web of equivocation and qualification to something that remains non negotiable.
Examples
-
At the trial, Ledbetter's police interrogation was trotted out, his lies and equivocations.
Fiction book (1995) -
On January 11, 1992, Bendjedid resigned, his departure ending the equivocation about who was in charge.
Academic text (1997) -
I am in total agreement without equivocation that security measures have got to remain tough.
-
After some equivocation on the part of the concerned parties, a meeting was finally held that night.
Academic text (1997) -
Your opponent claims this is an equivocation.
-
As a medical professional, I can state without equivocation that truly obese people are not healthy.
Blog text (3) -
Please, Doctor, without equivocation.
-
Macbeth is a play of shadows and echoes, of ambivalence and equivocation in words and in actions.
Academic text (1997) -
Soon after the convention, Roosevelt telegraphed Addams his assurance that "without qualification or equivocation."
Academic text (2013) -
I can say without equivocation that the 1985 Bears, the Super Bowl champs, the one in January of '86 were the best single-season team that I think has ever been in the NFL.
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
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
3
7.4
Avoiding giving a direct answer so people do not know what you really think
2
8.8
Saying or doing things in a roundabout way instead of being direct
1
9.2
Using many words to avoid saying something directly
1
8.6
Not telling the whole truth to hide facts or avoid blame
Avoiding a clear answer by speaking in vague words
Making vague statements to avoid giving a direct answer
A situation where something has more than one meaning and causes confusion
Antonyms
How Evasive
- Literature
7
8.2
- Formal
3
9.9
- Formal
9
9.9
3
7.4
152
3.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
equivocation = equivocate (semi-transparent) = equivocate + ion
Formed by the regular noun-forming suffix '-ion' added to the verb 'equivocate', giving the action or process.
Etymology
Equivocation comes from Latin parts aequi- ('equal') and vocare ('to call'), like the English words equal and vocal. So it is like 'calling two things the same', which is why equivocation means using unclear or double-meaning language to hide or avoid a direct answer.