equivocate
/ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt/ (ame, mw)
equivocate — verb
- equivocatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- equivocateshe / she / it
- equivocatedpast simple
- equivocating-ing form
1. to deliberately say things that are difficult to understand or have more than on
to deliberately say things that are difficult to understand or have more than one possible meaning, so that people cannot be sure what you really believe or plan to do.
When the reporter asked about the missing money, the minister equivocated instead of giving a clear answer.
equivocate + instead of + noun phrase
Mei always equivocates when her friends ask if she liked the meal, saying the food was 'interesting.'
equivocate + quoting evasive speech
The director equivocated about the budget cuts for nearly an hour without a clear answer.
Raj equivocated by using long, complicated sentences that nobody could follow.
When asked whether he supported the new law, the senator equivocated and changed the subject.
- prevaricate
more formal and less common; has a stronger implication of lying through evasive speech
- hedge
less severe — implies cautious avoidance of a firm position rather than intentional deception
- waffle
informal; means to talk at length without saying anything clear, but not necessarily with intent to deceive
- beat around the bush
informal idiom; avoiding the main topic rather than being deliberately ambiguous about it
- be straightforward
to express opinions and facts clearly and directly
- come clean
informal idiom; to finally tell the truth after hiding it
文法句型
equivocate + on/about + topic
equivocate + by + -ing form
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you never equivocate something. The topic is introduced with on, about, or over. Subjects are typically public figures (officials, politicians, executives) but can be anyone under pressure to give a direct reply.