Equivocate
/ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/
verbC1
Definition
Equivocate means to use unclear or confusing language, often because someone wants to hide the truth or avoid giving a direct answer. It is a way of speaking that does not clearly say yes or no, and can make it hard to understand what the speaker really means.
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See It in Action
To speak or answer in a way that is unclear or confusing to avoid giving a direct answer
- •When asked about the problem, he equivocated and did not give a straight answer.
- •The witness equivocated during the trial, making it hard to know what really happened.
- •Politicians often equivocate when they want to avoid difficult questions.
To use ambiguous language that can be understood in more than one way, often to mislead
- •She equivocated about her plans, leaving everyone unsure if she would come.
- •The advertisement equivocated by using words that sounded good but did not explain the product clearly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "equivocate" like "not answer clearly," but more about using tricky or confusing words to hide the truth
- ✓Picture someone talking but their words are like a fog—hard to see through and understand clearly
- ✓It's the feeling when someone avoids giving a straight answer and makes you unsure what they really think
- ✓Sounds like "e-QUIV-o-cate" → imagine a person "quivering" (shaking) because they don't want to give a clear answer
- ✓Think of a politician or a character in a story who talks a lot but never says what they really mean
- ✓NOT like "say" (clear, simple speaking) — "equivocate" is about being unclear and avoiding the truth
- ✓NOT like "lie" (which is saying something false) — "equivocate" is often avoiding the truth by being unclear, not always telling a direct lie
- ✓NOT like "explain" (which makes things clear) — "equivocate" makes things confusing on purpose
Try Other Words
- •Hedge: to avoid giving a clear answer by being careful with words (Use when someone is trying to protect themselves from a direct statement)
- •Beat around the bush: to talk about many things without getting to the point (Use in informal situations when someone avoids the main topic)
- •Dodge: to avoid answering directly, especially a question (Use when someone quickly avoids an answer)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "equi-" (equal, same) + "voc-" (voice, speak) + "-ate" (verb ending) → literally "to speak equally or ambiguously"
- •Etymology: From Latin "aequivocare," meaning "to call by the same name," or to use words with double meaning
- •Historical development: Originally meant to speak with double meanings or unclear language; used since the 1500s
- •Modern usage: Used to describe speaking unclearly to avoid truth or direct answers, often in politics or tricky situations
Reflect & Connect
•Why might someone choose to equivocate instead of telling the truth directly?
•How can recognizing equivocation help you understand when someone is avoiding a question or hiding something?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the reporter asked a difficult question, the politician equivocated ___ giving a direct answer.
2.Equivocate is often used to ___ the truth without actually lying.
3.Unlike a clear "yes" or "no," to equivocate means to ___ your real opinion or decision.
4.When someone equivocates, they often use ___ language that can be understood in different ways.
5.To avoid trouble, the witness chose to equivocate ___ the details of the event.
6.People who equivocate usually make it hard for others to ___ what they really mean.
7.Equivocate is different from lying because it involves ___ the truth, not saying something false.