equivocate
Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/
Verb

equivocate (equivocates, present participle equivocating; past and past participle equivocated)

  1. (intransitive) To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of duplicity.
    • 1687, Edward Stillingfleet, The Unreasonableness of Separation: Or, An Impartial Account of the History, Nature and Pleas of the Present Separation from the Communion of the Church of England
      All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate.
  2. To render equivocal or ambiguous.
    He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation.
Synonyms


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