Equivocating — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt/ equiv·o·cate

Meaning & Definition of Equivocating

Equivocating (verb)

  1. to use equivocal language especially with intent to deceive
  2. to avoid committing oneself in what one says

Equivocating (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hypocritical, dissembling

    similar: bluffing, dissembling, dissimulating, duplicitous, hypocritical, insincere, posing, pretending, unbelievable, undependable, unreliable, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, artful, deceitful, deceptive, devious, evasive, slick, slippery, sly, sneaky, treacherous, tricky, underhanded, wily, fallacious, false, untrue, dishonest, fibbing, lying, mendacious, prevaricating, untruthful
    opposite: honest, truthful, veracious, candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, frank, freehearted, free-spoken, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, believable, credible, true, veritable

Equivocating (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to avoid giving a definite answer or position

    "the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues"

    similar: fudging, hedging, pussyfooting, tergiversating, waffling, weaseling, beating around the bush, hemming and hawing, straddling the fence
    related: flip-flopping, yo-yoing, dodging, ducking, eluding, eschewing, evading, shaking, shirking, shunning, sidestepping, skirting, bypassing, circumventing, caviling, quibbling, straddling

Related Entry: Equivocate (verb)

Equivocate is a different word from Equivocating. The synonyms below are for equivocate, not for equivocating.

  1. to avoid giving a definite answer or position

    "the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues"

    similar: fudge, hedge, pussyfoot, tergiversate, waffle, weasel, beat around the bush, hem and haw, straddle the fence
    related: flip-flop, yo-yo, dodge, duck, elude, eschew, evade, shake, shirk, shun, sidestep, skirt, bypass, circumvent, cavil, quibble, straddle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Equivocating

The most common words with a similar meaning to Equivocating:

bluffing, dissembling, dissimulating, duplicitous, hypocritical, insincere, posing, pretending, unbelievable, undependable, unreliable, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, artful, deceitful, deceptive, devious, evasive, slick, slippery, sly, sneaky, treacherous, tricky, underhanded, wily, fallacious, false, untrue, dishonest, fibbing, lying, mendacious, prevaricating, untruthful, fudging, hedging, pussyfooting, tergiversating, waffling

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Equivocating

Words with the opposite meaning of Equivocating:

honest, truthful, veracious, candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, frank, freehearted, free-spoken, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, believable, credible, true, veritable

Related Words for Equivocating

flip-flopping, yo-yoing, dodging, ducking, eluding, eschewing, evading, shaking, shirking, shunning, sidestepping, skirting, bypassing, circumventing, caviling, quibbling, straddling

Word Forms of Equivocating

Inflections: equivocated

Derived words: equivocator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Equivocating

First known use: 1590

Frequently Asked Questions about Equivocating

What does "Equivocating" mean?

"Equivocating" means to use equivocal language especially with intent to deceive. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to use equivocal language especially with intent to deceive. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Equivocating"?

Other words for "Equivocating" include bluffing, dissembling, dissimulating, duplicitous, hypocritical, insincere, posing and pretending. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Equivocating" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Equivocating"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Equivocating". Common alternatives include bluffing, dissembling, dissimulating, duplicitous, hypocritical, insincere, posing, pretending, unbelievable and undependable.

What is the opposite of "Equivocating"?

Antonyms of "Equivocating" include honest, truthful, veracious, candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright and foursquare.

How do you use "Equivocating" in a sentence?

Examples of "Equivocating" in a sentence: "the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues".

Is "Equivocating" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Equivocating" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Equivocating"?

"Equivocating" is pronounced /i-ˈkwi-və-ˌkāt/ and divided into syllables as equiv·o·cate.

What is the origin of the word "Equivocating"?

First known use: 1590.