equivocal

adjective

equiv·o·cal i-ˈkwi-və-kəl How to pronounce equivocal (audio)

: subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse

an equivocal statement

: uncertain as an indication or sign

equivocal evidence

: of uncertain nature or classification

equivocal shapes

: of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided

an equivocal attitude

: of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude

equivocal behavior

equivocality

i-ˌkwi-və-ˈka-lə-tē How to pronounce equivocal (audio)

noun

equivocally

i-ˈkwi-və-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce equivocal (audio)

adverb

equivocalness

i-ˈkwi-və-kəl-nəs How to pronounce equivocal (audio)

noun

Did you know?

Equivocal, vague, and ambiguous all mean "not clearly understandable" and are used to describe confusing speech or writing. Equivocal—which can be traced back to the Latin prefix aequi- (equi-) and the Latin word vox ("voice")—applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading ("moral precepts with equivocal phrasing"). Vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration ("I had only a vague idea of how to get there"). Ambiguous, like equivocal, applies to language capable of more than one interpretation but usually does not have the negative connotations of deception or evasion ("the poet's wording is intentionally ambiguous").

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples on the Web The younger, more equivocal Hitchens would not have put it that way.

Christian Lorentzen, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Instead, the evidence is usually less direct and more equivocal.

Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Amid the lukewarm notes and contempt of lying for hire, this wryly equivocal review says something genuinely important: Feeling, in a poet, is the source of others’ feeling.

Susan J. Wolfson, The Atlantic, 18 June 2022 Lee, 64, has kept his public appearances brief and tightly choreographed, and his statements have been vague and equivocal, said Chan, showing his lack of knowledge in many policy areas.

Robert Olsen, Forbes, 6 May 2022 Trump’s appeal to his fans, yet Trump himself seems equivocal about his project.

Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 5 June 2022 At the end of May, Lam gave an equivocal response when asked whether people who gathered at Victoria Park on June 4 would face legal repercussions.

Jessie Yeung, CNN, 3 June 2022 As for other benefits, the literature is somewhat equivocal.

Oliver Lee Bateman, Men's Health, 19 May 2022 From his Fifth Symphony onward, Shostakovich practiced an art of equivocal triumph, and the finale of the Tenth might be his deftest feat in this line.

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022 See More

equivocal

adjective

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the evidence that this latest diet really results in lasting weight loss is certainly equivocal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

questionable
dubious
disputable
doubtful
debatable
suspicious
problematic
ambiguous
problematical
suspect
shaky
unclear
fishy
dubitable
alleged
queer
shady
doubtable
dodgy
uncertain
unlikely
supposed
weak
moot
undetermined
undecided
improbable
flimsy
so-called
far-fetched
open

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unquestionable
indubitable
undoubted
undeniable
indisputable
certain
incontestable
definitive
unproblematic
sure
decisive
positive
obvious
clear
questionless
hands-down
open-and-shut

as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning he responded to the reporter's questions with equivocal answers or refusals to comment

Synonyms & Similar Words

ambiguous
cryptic
obscure
dark
enigmatic
vague
unclear
enigmatical
mysterious
mystic
murky
questionable
esoteric
uncertain
opaque
inscrutable
nebulous
occult
confusing
arcane
fuliginous
deep
obscurant
elliptical
indistinct
complicated
elliptic
Delphic
indirect
fuzzy
double-edged
recondite
abstruse
weird
noncommittal
undefined
eerie
uncanny
undetermined
indefinite
faint
hazy
puzzling
inexplicable
indistinguishable
inexact
disguised
perplexing
clouded
difficult
shrouded
incomprehensible
inexplicit
shadowy
beclouded
masked
concealed
unanswerable
indecipherable
baffling
obfuscatory
foggy
shaded
muddy
cloaked
misty
confounding
befogged
bewildering
complex
impalpable
dim
intangible
unknowable
sphinxlike
cloudy
inappreciable
mystifying
invisible
obtuse
eery
impenetrable
shadowlike
bedimmed
unfathomable
circuitous
obscurantic
roundabout
obnubilated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unequivocal
obvious
unambiguous
clear
plain
evident
understandable
intelligible
accessible
distinct
comprehensible
certain
knowable
legible
strong
bright
sure
defined
explicit
direct
nonambiguous
pellucid
definite
fathomable
determined
straightforward
firm
self-evident
exact
appreciable
visible
tangible
self-explanatory
palpable
unmistakable
blatant
patent

as in ambivalent

having a mixture of opposing feelings a number of people are clearly equivocal about allowing casino gambling in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

ambivalent
unsure
uncertain
conflicted
hesitant
afraid
questioning
doubtful
irresolute
vacillating
dubious
reluctant
faltering
undecided
wobbly
disinclined
loathe
wabbly
loath
indisposed
loth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unambivalent
resolute
certain
sure
decided
unquestioning

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of equivocal are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

While in some cases nearly identical to equivocal, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

While the synonyms cryptic and equivocal are close in meaning, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

The meanings of dark and equivocal largely overlap; however, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

The words enigmatic and equivocal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

Although the words obscure and equivocal have much in common, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

The words vague and equivocal can be used in similar contexts, but vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

单词	equivocal
释义	equivocal adjective equiv·o·cal i-ˈkwi-və-kəl 1 a : 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 2 a : 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 equivocality i-ˌkwi-və-ˈka-lə-tē noun equivocally i-ˈkwi-və-k(ə-)lē adverb equivocalness i-ˈkwi-və-kəl-nəs noun Did you know? Equivocal, vague, and ambiguous all mean "not clearly understandable" and are used to describe confusing speech or writing. Equivocal—which can be traced back to the Latin prefix aequi- (equi-) and the Latin word vox ("voice")—applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading ("moral precepts with equivocal phrasing"). Vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration ("I had only a vague idea of how to get there"). Ambiguous, like equivocal, applies to language capable of more than one interpretation but usually does not have the negative connotations of deception or evasion ("the poet's wording is intentionally ambiguous"). Synonyms debatable disputable dodgy [chiefly British] doubtable doubtful dubious dubitable fishy problematic problematical queer questionable shady shaky suspect suspicious See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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. Recent Examples on the Web The younger, more equivocal Hitchens would not have put it that way. Christian Lorentzen, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Instead, the evidence is usually less direct and more equivocal. Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Amid the lukewarm notes and contempt of lying for hire, this wryly equivocal review says something genuinely important: Feeling, in a poet, is the source of others’ feeling. Susan J. Wolfson, The Atlantic, 18 June 2022 Lee, 64, has kept his public appearances brief and tightly choreographed, and his statements have been vague and equivocal, said Chan, showing his lack of knowledge in many policy areas. Robert Olsen, Forbes, 6 May 2022 Trump’s appeal to his fans, yet Trump himself seems equivocal about his project. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 5 June 2022 At the end of May, Lam gave an equivocal response when asked whether people who gathered at Victoria Park on June 4 would face legal repercussions. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 3 June 2022 As for other benefits, the literature is somewhat equivocal. Oliver Lee Bateman, Men's Health, 19 May 2022 From his Fifth Symphony onward, Shostakovich practiced an art of equivocal triumph, and the finale of the Tenth might be his deftest feat in this line. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi- equi- + voc-, vox voice — more at voice First Known Use 1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a equivocal adjective 1 as in questionable giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the evidence that this latest diet really results in lasting weight loss is certainly equivocal Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance questionable dubious disputable doubtful debatable suspicious problematic ambiguous problematical suspect shaky unclear fishy dubitable alleged queer shady doubtable dodgy uncertain unlikely supposed weak moot undetermined undecided improbable flimsy so-called far-fetched open Antonyms & Near Antonyms unquestionable indubitable undoubted undeniable indisputable certain incontestable definitive unproblematic sure decisive positive obvious clear questionless hands-down open-and-shut See More 2 as in ambiguous having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning he responded to the reporter's questions with equivocal answers or refusals to comment Synonyms & Similar Words ambiguous cryptic obscure dark enigmatic vague unclear enigmatical mysterious mystic murky questionable esoteric uncertain opaque inscrutable nebulous occult confusing arcane fuliginous deep obscurant elliptical indistinct complicated elliptic Delphic indirect fuzzy double-edged recondite abstruse weird noncommittal undefined eerie uncanny undetermined indefinite faint hazy puzzling inexplicable indistinguishable inexact disguised perplexing clouded difficult shrouded incomprehensible inexplicit shadowy beclouded masked concealed unanswerable indecipherable baffling obfuscatory foggy shaded muddy cloaked misty confounding befogged bewildering complex impalpable dim intangible unknowable sphinxlike cloudy inappreciable mystifying invisible obtuse eery impenetrable shadowlike bedimmed unfathomable circuitous obscurantic roundabout obnubilated Antonyms & Near Antonyms unequivocal obvious unambiguous clear plain evident understandable intelligible accessible distinct comprehensible certain knowable legible strong bright sure defined explicit direct nonambiguous pellucid definite fathomable determined straightforward firm self-evident exact appreciable visible tangible self-explanatory palpable unmistakable blatant patent See More 3 as in ambivalent having a mixture of opposing feelings a number of people are clearly equivocal about allowing casino gambling in the state Synonyms & Similar Words ambivalent unsure uncertain conflicted hesitant afraid questioning doubtful irresolute vacillating dubious reluctant faltering undecided wobbly disinclined loathe wabbly loath indisposed loth Antonyms & Near Antonyms unambivalent resolute certain sure decided unquestioning Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of equivocal are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. moral precepts with equivocal phrasing While in some cases nearly identical to equivocal, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. an ambiguous directive While the synonyms cryptic and equivocal are close in meaning, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. cryptic hints of hidden treasure The meanings of dark and equivocal largely overlap; however, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. muttered dark hints of revenge The words enigmatic and equivocal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. enigmatic occult writings Although the words obscure and equivocal have much in common, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. obscure poems The words vague and equivocal can be used in similar contexts, but vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. a vague sense of obligation
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equivocal

adjective

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

adjective

Synonym Chooser