Equivocate Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To avoid giving a clear or direct answer, often by using ambiguous or vague language, especially to mislead or hide the truth.

Usage & Nuances

Formal, often used in legal, political, or academic contexts. Common collocations: 'tend to equivocate,' 'equivocate on an issue.' Not the same as 'lie'—the person avoids being clear but doesn't always say something directly untrue.

• Spanish: equivocar - hablar con evasivas
• Portuguese (BR): equivocar-se - falar evasivamente
• Portuguese (PT): equivocar-se - falar evasivamente
• Chinese (Simplified): 含糊其辞
• Chinese (Traditional): 含糊其詞
• Hindi: बहानेबाज़ी करना - गोलमोल जवाब देना
• Arabic: يُراوغ في الكلام - يتكلم بمواربة
• Bengali: কৌশলপূর্ণভাবে এড়িয়ে কথা বলা - অস্পষ্টভাবে উত্তর দেওয়া
• Russian: двусмысленно выражаться - увиливать (от ответа)
• Japanese: あいまいに言う - 言葉を濁す
• Vietnamese: nói lấp lửng - nói nước đôi
• Korean: 애매하게 말하다 - 얼버무리다
• Turkish: kaçamak cevap vermek - lafı dolandırmak
• Urdu: گول مول بات کرنا
• Indonesian: berkilah - berbicara samar-samar

Example Sentences

The politician began to equivocate when asked about taxes.

basic

Please do not equivocate; just give me a straight answer.

basic

Some people equivocate to avoid getting into trouble.

basic

He tends to equivocate when the topic gets uncomfortable.

natural

When you equivocate like that, it sounds like you're hiding something.

natural

Instead of giving a direct answer, she chose to equivocate and change the subject.

natural