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?

If you're unsure about how to use equivocal properly, it may help to first remember its antonym, unequivocal, which is without a doubt the more common word of the two. As unequivocal means "leaving no doubt" or "unquestionable," it stands to reason that equivocal applies to language that is open to multiple, often differing interpretations. Equivocal can also have a sinister slant: equivocal language is usually used to mislead or confuse, its vagueness allowing the speaker to avoid committing to a firm position or opinion, and to later disavow anything listeners found objectionable if need be. To use a related verb, politicians are often accused of equivocating when, for example, they respond to yes-or-no questions with rambling, unrelated anecdotes.

Synonyms

• debatable
• disputable
• dodgy [chiefly British]
• doubtable
• doubtful
• dubious
• dubitable
• fishy
• problematic
• problematical
• queer
• questionable
• shady
• shaky
• suspect
• suspicious

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The evidence for the pill’s association with depression is somewhat more equivocal. —Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024

His contribution to the Wende exhibition stands out as a sweeping portrait of a surveillance state and the paradoxically equivocal picture that arises when hundreds of millions of video cameras are monitoring everything that happens in public. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

While pulling Japanese companies more toward the West’s primacy on investor value, directionally right for building the resolute model, the performance consequences for investors have been more equivocal. —Michael Useem, Fortune Asia, 24 Oct. 2024

Although multiple sources within the FDNY, City Hall and a former city official told the Daily News that Tucker was widely expected to be tapped as commissioner, the mayor’s office was equivocal when asked for comment Sunday night. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2024

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

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Kids Definition

equivocal

adjective

equiv·​o·​cal i-ˈkwiv-ə-kəl 

1

: having two or more possible meanings : ambiguous

an equivocal answer

2

: not easily or definitely understood : uncertain, doubtful

an equivocal result

3

: suspicious sense 1, questionable

equivocal behavior

equivocally

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

equivocalness

-kəl-nəs 

noun