as in to weasel
to avoid giving a definite answer or position
the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in ambiguity
deliberate evasion in speech
your equivocation when asked where you were last night is not reassuring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguousness
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the equivocation of the last line of the poem, "That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equivocate
Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2019
Critics further condemn equivocating between Israel, as a democracy, and Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S., Israel and by the European Union.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2025
Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The equivocation over the ground invasion reflects Mr. Netanyahu’s need to satisfy far-right cabinet ministers, who are pushing for the full re-occupation of Gaza, and Israel’s top generals, who believe such a move would be difficult to sustain and dangerous to hostages held in Gaza.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Verb
The policy initiatives that emerge, unsurprisingly, have an air of indecision and equivocating.
—Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2019
Critics further condemn equivocating between Israel, as a democracy, and Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S., Israel and by the European Union.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Now, no public voice is permitted much equivocation.
—Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The equivocation over the ground invasion reflects Mr. Netanyahu’s need to satisfy far-right cabinet ministers, who are pushing for the full re-occupation of Gaza, and Israel’s top generals, who believe such a move would be difficult to sustain and dangerous to hostages held in Gaza.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for equivocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equivocate
Verb
-
One of Wishman’s most Sapphic films is this gritty black-and-white sexploitation shocker about assassins who weasel their way into an apartment shared by two lesbians in order to kill a foreign dignitary.—
Erik Piepenburg,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Trying to weasel things by providing additional levels is abhorrent.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
20 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Setting boundaries is further complicated by generational shifts: Younger employees, particularly Gen Z, also favor fluid boundaries and a flat hierarchy, sometimes intensifying the ambiguity around roles and expectations.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 July 2025
-
However, inconsistent enforcement mechanisms, ambiguities in the statutory language and other limitations have attracted the interest of reformers.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shook hands in Scotland on Sunday after agreeing on the framework for a trade deal between two of the world’s biggest economies.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
-
Accompanied by her brother-in-law, Sen. Edward Kennedy, the former first lady was seen at N.Y.C.'s 21 Club — shaking hands with other frequenters.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Many folks fear that deep cuts will force Arizona to prioritize uses, and that in the shuffle, those that require a lot of water — like agriculture — will be pressured to slash production.—
Joanna Allhands,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
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Golden State has had an ongoing roster shuffle since three players returned to the team after the EuroBasket Tournament ended two weeks ago.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
Their circumlocutions were as entrancing as their ability to find the most precisely ironic words for difficult-to-name realities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
-
Here, instead, she’s swayed by a dead Diana softly squeezing her hand and kindly hinting — the dead Diana is an ace at tactful circumlocution — that now is the time to show a mourning nation some emotion.—
Tom Gliatto,
Peoplemag,
16 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Equivocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equivocate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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