1 equivocal | Definition of equivocal
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

equivocal

adjective
equiv·​o·​cal | \ i-ˈkwi-vÉ™-kÉ™l How to pronounce equivocal (audio) \

Definition of equivocal

1a : subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse an equivocal statement
b : uncertain as an indication or sign equivocal evidence
2a : of uncertain nature or classification equivocal shapes
b : of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided an equivocal attitude
c : of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude equivocal behavior
Other Words from equivocal Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about equivocal

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from equivocal

equivocality \ i-​ËŒkwi-​vÉ™-​ˈka-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce equivocality (audio) \ noun
equivocally \ i-​ˈkwi-​vÉ™-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce equivocally (audio) \ adverb
equivocalness \ i-​ˈkwi-​vÉ™-​kÉ™l-​nÉ™s How to pronounce equivocalness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for equivocal

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. obscure poems dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. muttered dark hints of revenge vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. a vague sense of obligation enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. enigmatic occult writings cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. cryptic hints of hidden treasure ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. an ambiguous directive equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Examples of equivocal in a Sentence

When I go to galleries to see new art.  … I don't care about what I see unless it holds my eye, and that is an almost involuntary experience; but once something has that hold on me—even in a tentative, equivocal way—other factors come into play, and I find myself reaching for analogies, ideas, theories. — Jed Perl, New Republic, 20 Mar. 2000 He [Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec] frequented the sleazy underworld of Paris, but moved in top circles too, and by virtue of his equivocal status as a landed gentleman-turned-bohemian artist, was sufficiently an outsider to be a detached observer of the diverse social classes among whom he ranged so freely. — Elizabeth Cowling, Times Literary Supplement, 8 Nov. 1991 … in the past, photographs of real situations in color have invited a sense of ambiguity, an element of distrust on the part of viewers, perhaps because the saturated dyes of color film seem to have an equivocal relationship to the harsher realities of social conditions. — Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989 He responded to reporters' questions with equivocal answers. The experiment produced equivocal results.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 At first, those studies were equivocal, according to Ferguson. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "Video-Game Violence Is Now a Partisan Issue," 5 Aug. 2019 The equivocal results touched off a fierce debate in other countries with struggling centre-left parties, such as the Netherlands, where the Labour party’s share fell from 25% in the 2012 election to just 6% in 2017. — The Economist, "Denmark’s social democrats beat the migrant-bashers at their game," 9 June 2019 Luis Suarez has always been a little more equivocal, seemingly baffled by Griezmann’s love for Uruguay, but there is no reason why the three shouldn’t play together. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "The Domino Effect of Barcelona Signing Antoine Griezmann–and Its Impact on Neymar," 12 July 2019 Even his characterization of North Korea as a brutal dictatorship had grown more equivocal after meeting its 34-year-old leader. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Little mention of human rights at Trump-Kim summit," 13 June 2018 Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sounds equivocal about whether the Treasury can impose indexing by regulatory fiat. — Alan S. Blinder, WSJ, "Index Capital Gains, but Not Without Congress’s Consent," 1 Aug. 2018 Even his characterization of North Korea as a brutal dictatorship had grown more equivocal after meeting its 34-year-old leader. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Little mention of human rights at Trump-Kim summit," 13 June 2018 Even his characterization of North Korea as a brutal dictatorship had grown more equivocal after meeting its 34-year-old leader. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Little mention of human rights at Trump-Kim summit," 13 June 2018 Republicans in Illinois are unlikely to be won back by the governor’s equivocal support for President Donald Trump. — The Economist, "Bruce Rauner discovers bipartisanship," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'equivocal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of equivocal

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for equivocal

Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi- equi- + voc-, vox voice — more at voice

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for equivocal

equivocal

adjective
How to pronounce equivocal (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of equivocal

formal
: having two or more possible meanings
: not easily understood or explained

See the full definition for equivocal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!