Weaseling: meaning, definitions and examples
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weaseling
[ ˈwiːzəlɪŋ ]
deceitful behavior
Weaseling refers to the act of avoiding commitment or responsibility by using evasive or ambiguous language. It often implies a sense of dishonesty, as the person may be manipulating words to escape the consequences of their statements or actions. The term suggests an underhanded approach to communication, where clarity is sacrificed for self-preservation. Weaseling can occur in various contexts, from casual conversations to serious negotiations, and is generally frowned upon due to its deceptive nature.
Synonyms
dodging, equivocating, evading, prevaricating.
Examples of usage
- He was accused of weaseling out of the agreement.
- Instead of taking responsibility, she resorted to weaseling.
- His way of weaseling made the situation even more confusing.
Translations
Translations of the word "weaseling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 evasão
🇮🇳 फिसलना
🇩🇪 herumdrücken
🇮🇩 menghindar
🇺🇦 хитрувати
🇵🇱 wykręcanie się
🇯🇵 言い逃れ
🇫🇷 manœuvre
🇪🇸 eludir
🇹🇷 kaçamak yapmak
🇰🇷 회피하기
🇸🇦 المراوغة
🇨🇿 vyhýbání se
🇸🇰 vyhýbanie sa
🇨🇳 逃避
🇸🇮 izogibanje
🇮🇸 forðast
🇰🇿 қашу
🇬🇪 გაქცევა
🇦🇿 qaçış
🇲🇽 esquivar
Etymology
The term 'weaseling' originates from the practice associated with the weasel, an animal known for its cunning and evasive behavior. The word 'weasel' itself comes from the Old English 'wēasle,' akin to the Latin 'vulpecula,' meaning 'little fox.' Over time, this characteristic of being slippery and hard to catch was metaphorically transferred to describe individuals who use similarly slippery rhetoric to escape accountability. The use of 'weasel words'—a term that denotes ambiguous or misleading language—further popularized this behavior in conversations. As language evolved, the notion of 'weaseling' became synonymous with dishonesty in communication, used prominently within legal, business, and casual contexts.