1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the evidence that this latest diet really results in lasting weight loss is certainly equivocal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
he responded to the reporter's questions with equivocal answers or refusals to comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings
a number of people are clearly equivocal about allowing casino gambling in the state
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equivocal
Some conservative deficit hawks are much less equivocal.
—
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2025
The junta appears interested in partnering with Moscow, but to date, Moscow has remained equivocal.
—Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2023
Allison Gill, legal director at Global Labor Justice, a workers’ rights nonprofit, is less equivocal, however.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
The evidence for the pill’s association with depression is somewhat more equivocal.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2025
The junta appears interested in partnering with Moscow, but to date, Moscow has remained equivocal.
—Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2023
Allison Gill, legal director at Global Labor Justice, a workers’ rights nonprofit, is less equivocal, however.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
The evidence for the pill’s association with depression is somewhat more equivocal.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocal
Adjective
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Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
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More news: Latest Comments From Mike Budenholzer Prove Suns Made Giant Mistake Hiring Him The news broke after Booker made some questionable comments about the importance of communication on the court.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has not commented on the military base plan specifically but delivered an ambiguous answer this week to a question regarding the use of private companies to assist with deportations.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
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The film has proven divisive, though, with some audiences puzzled by its breakneck tonal shifts and ambiguous ending.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Initially, as The Times previously reported, prison staff were unsure where to house the detainees or how best to keep them separate from other prisoners.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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If you are not fully vaccinated or are unsure of your status, your doctor may recommend a measles booster.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Then, in early 2025, a certain South African’s activity on social media, the acquisition of Twitter, a frenzied foray into politics, a few dubious salutes, and now the brand is imploding.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The material cost of this territory of dubious value has been shocking.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Women possessed by the gods were oracles, predicting the future in cryptic utterances.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Escher String Quartet Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs The Escher String Quartet, named for the cryptic artist M.C. Escher, performs pieces by Ravel, Mendelssohn and Mozart on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. $39, $37 seniors, free for students and youth.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Russian oil industry and government have always been ambivalent about sharing wealth with foreign investors.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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Like anyone who’s converted a hobby into a career, Vaughn is ambivalent about his influence.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Baker cuts to conflicted close-ups of Igor, underscoring his pangs of conscience on the periphery of the plot.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
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Pair it with chop suey, or lamb and mint sauce or a marmalade tart prepared by an outré chef who spouts long stories of conflicted brilliant travels on leaking ships or saddled mules or trains with cracked windows.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The ripple effect from this trade should impact two areas: The uncertain QB situation and George Pickens.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Despite an uncertain future, the theater’s team is determined to continue their art and their wartime volunteering.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equivocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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