equivocally
In unclear terms
In a way that is ambiguous or open to multiple interpretations.
Someone who answers equivocally leaves room for different readings of their response: She nodded equivocally, neither confirming nor denying the rumor.
The word often suggests deliberate vagueness—hedging rather than committing to a clear position.
Openness to multiple interpretations
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
- unclearNot easily understood
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- obscureUnknown to most
imprecise · indefinite · murky · opaque · indistinct · hazy · cloudy · fuzzy
Act of escaping detection
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
slippery · cagey · elusive · deflecting · circumlocution · prevarication · waffling · fencing
Causing false beliefs
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- dissemblingConcealing true motives
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
two-faced · deceptive · obfuscation · sophistry · subterfuge · guile · chicanery · artful
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
unsure · doubtful · ambivalent · torn · conflicted · inconclusive · undecided · on the fence
ambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
obscure · imprecise · indefinite · murky · opaque · indistinct · hazy · cloudy · fuzzy · blurry
evasion
Act of escaping detection
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
noncommittal · slippery · cagey · elusive · deflecting · circumlocution · prevarication · waffling · fencing · skirting
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- dissemblingConcealing true motives
insincere · two-faced · deceptive · obfuscation · sophistry · subterfuge · guile · chicanery · artful · cunning
hesitant
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
tentative · unsure · doubtful · ambivalent · torn · conflicted · inconclusive · undecided · on the fence · wishy-washy
equivocallyunequivocally
In a completely clear manner
unambiguously · clearly · plainly · directly · straightforwardly
equivocallycategorically
Without any qualification
decisively · resolutely · firmly · unconditionally · absolutely
equivocal, unequivocal, unequivocally, equivocalness, equivocality