Equivocation: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used in formal contexts to describe the use of ambiguous language to hide the truth or avoid commitment.

• The politician's speech was full of equivocations, making it hard to understand his true stance.
• Her equivocation on the matter raised suspicions about her intentions.

Ambiguity describes situations where something can be understood in more than one way, often unintentionally leading to confusion. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

• The ambiguity in his instructions led to a lot of misunderstandings.
• The poem's beauty lies in its ambiguity, allowing multiple interpretations.

Primarily used to describe deliberate attempts to avoid giving a direct answer, usually regarded negatively. It's often seen in legal, political, or personal contexts.

• His evasion of the question made people suspect he had something to hide.
• The manager's evasion of responsibility angered his team.

A more formal term often used to describe speaking in a way that is deliberately not clear, to mislead or avoid the truth. It has a negative connotation.

• The lawyer's prevarication during the trial only made him seem more untrustworthy.
• Constant prevarication is a common tactic in politics to avoid accountability.

Often used when someone speaks or writes in a deliberately ambiguous way to avoid the truth or to mislead.

• The politician's equivocation made it hard to know his true stance on the issue.
• Her equivocation on the subject left everyone confused about her true opinion.

Refers to situations where something can be understood in more than one way; often used in literature, law, and everyday language when things are unclear or have multiple meanings.

• The ambiguity of the poem allows for different interpretations.
• Legal documents often need to be clarified to avoid ambiguity.

Used to describe situations where someone deliberately attempts to make another person believe something that is not true; carries a negative connotation.

• Her deception was discovered when the truth came out.
• He was skilled in the art of deception, leading people astray with ease.

Pertains to providing false or inaccurate information, often used in legal or formal situations where the truth is required; has a negative connotation.

• The company's misrepresentation of its profits led to serious legal consequences.
• Her misrepresentation of the facts damaged her credibility.

used in situations where someone is deliberately using vague or ambiguous language to deceive or to avoid giving a clear answer.

• The politician's interview was full of equivocation, leaving voters unsure of his true stance.
• There was a lot of equivocation in his testimony, making it difficult to understand the true events.

used to describe the act of avoiding or escaping from something, often used in legal or formal contexts.

• The company's tax evasion was discovered after a thorough audit.
• During the trial, his evasion of direct questions was noted by the jury.

used when someone is actively avoiding a question or responsibility, and it often has a negative connotation.

• He kept dodging the issue every time it was brought up.
• She accused him of dodging his parental duties.

used when something is unclear or can have more than one interpretation, often unintentional.

• The ambiguity of the instructions led to several mistakes.
• She noticed the ambiguity in his message and asked for clarification.