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equivocate verb

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ɪˈkwɪv.ə.keɪt/ v [I] formal

Definition

to speak in a way that is intentionally not clear and confusing to other people, especially to hide the truth
She accused the minister of equivocating, claiming that he had deliberately avoided telling the public how bad the problem really was.

equivocation noun

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ɪˌkwɪv.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/ n [U]
He answered openly and honestly without hesitation or equivocation.

(Definition of equivocate verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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