equivocate
verb
To use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself; to hedge; to be deliberately unclear.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin aequivocatus meaning "called by the same name," from Latin aequus (equal) + vocare (to call), suggesting words with equal claims to different meanings.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The witness equivocated, refusing to give a straight answer."
- 2.
"Stop equivocating and tell me what you really think."
- 3.
"Politicians often equivocate when asked difficult questions."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the witches' prophecies equivocate - they seem to promise success but can be interpreted differently. Their ambiguity leads to Macbeth's tragic downfall.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 10 letters (E, Q, U, I, V, O, C, A, T, E)
Scrabble Value: 24 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "EQUIVOCATE" appears in many related words.
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