evasiveness

Examples

• All

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

  Blog text (8)

• Getting a little tired of your evasiveness.

  Spanking the Monkey (1994)

• "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

E

evasion

vsevasiveness

12 6.6

An indirect statement that hides an unpleasant truth

is the overall tendency to be vague rather than one specific indirect statement

H

hedge

vsevasiveness

9 7.5

A statement that avoids giving a clear answer

is the general pattern of vagueness rather than a single uncertain reply

E

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

P

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

I

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

C

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

D

dodging

vsevasiveness

1 5.6

Avoiding responsibility or difficult questions by using tricks

is mainly about being intentionally vague in speech rather than avoiding duties

I

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

T

tergiversation

vsevasiveness

• Formal

9.9

Avoiding a clear answer by speaking in vague words

is the broader quality of being intentionally vague rather than a single act

H

hedging

vsevasiveness

7.5

Making vague statements to avoid giving a direct answer

is the broader quality of vague avoidance rather than the tactic of noncommitment

Q

quick deflection

vsevasiveness

7.3

A short answer that avoids the question

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

O

obliqueness

vsevasiveness

8.9

Not saying things in a direct, clear way

focuses specifically on intentional vagueness to avoid clear answers rather than mere indirectness

M

mealiness

vsevasiveness

9.0

Indirect words or actions that hide true meaning

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

R

runaround

vsevasiveness

• Informal

7.7

Giving answers that avoid a clear solution and delay help

is the general trait of avoiding direct answers rather than procedural delay

Antonyms

C

clarity

152 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

D

directness

6 3.4

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

How Evasive

deceptiveness

1 7.2

evasiveness

3 7.4

reserve

9 5.2

openness

22 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology