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
However, for higher dose, systemic estrogen therapy — which is absorbed into the blood stream — including estrogen pills, Christmas and other menopause experts are more equivocal about removing the black box warning.
—
Allison Aubrey, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
But both the text and the history of Article II are far more equivocal than the current Court has been suggesting.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Western blot: If the ELISA is positive or equivocal, this more specific test is used to help confirm the presence of Lyme antibodies.
—Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
And yet, by the time of Borlaug’s death, his accomplishments were looking increasingly equivocal.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Allison Aubrey, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
But both the text and the history of Article II are far more equivocal than the current Court has been suggesting.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Western blot: If the ELISA is positive or equivocal, this more specific test is used to help confirm the presence of Lyme antibodies.
—Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
And yet, by the time of Borlaug’s death, his accomplishments were looking increasingly equivocal.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocal
Adjective
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This injury seemed less serious, with the Knicks listing Anunoby as questionable to play in both Games 3 and 4 before he was ruled out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
With Díaz’s face bleeding profusely, Perry took advantage of Díaz’s questionable physical condition.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Text messages in court records show a brief and ambiguous exchange between McCluskie and Williamson that backs that up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The apparent conflict highlights the ambiguous rules around recall status and its relevance in a trial that’s been peppered with globe-trotting billionaires.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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When workers are unsure whether the technology is meant to augment them or replace them, adoption slows, experimentation stops, and the conditions under which AI actually returns value disappear.—
Julie Averill,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
The vets also took X-rays, but since wood is hard to see on an X-ray, the professionals were still unsure how far the stick had impaled Sweets.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Lepoutre said Chapiron’s project is inspired by real cases in France involving young women who set themselves up as informal practitioners, offering discounted Botox and injections with dubious products.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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The administration, though, is gearing up to unleash a slew of other levies under the auspices of a different law that many experts see as less legally dubious than the 10% tariff and the ones the Supreme Court reversed.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Thousands of fans have also been engaging with Nikki’s increasingly obsessive, unsettling texts, voice notes and special deliveries after encountering cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York, each featuring her obsessive messages alongside a phone number inviting them to reach out.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
This page has very mixed feelings about that subsidy, but is not similarly ambivalent about Chicago’s desperate need to get the wheels of development turning again.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Each hippo has its own habitat, but the animals have been introduced at a distance and seem ambivalent toward one another for now.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
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That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That said, Richie isn’t afraid to switch things up.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
-
Zvyagintsev is not afraid of silence.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Equivocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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