equivocal

[ih-kwiv-uh-kuhl] / ɪˈkwɪv ə kəl /

ADJECTIVE

doubtful, uncertain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous ambivalent dubious evasive muddled puzzling unclear vague

WEAK

amphibological borderline clear as mud clouded disreputable fishy fuzzy hazy indefinite indeterminate indistinct misleading muzzy oblique obscure open problematic questionable suspect suspicious tenebrous undecided unexplicit unintelligible with mixed feelings

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear definite sure

WEAK

determined obvious plain unequivocal unquestionable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Skarsgård’s equivocal and unshowy performance—he’s a master of acting without seeming to be acting—creates an ambiguity around Gustav, craftily rendered by the two screenwriters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

The court also dropped an equivocal hint about how Smith might overcome the presumption of immunity.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2024

Verstappen, who is under contract to the end of 2028, has been asked on a number of occasions to offer his full backing to Horner and has always given equivocal answers.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2024

The experts I spoke with were oppositely equivocal, despite acknowledging the apparent quality control issues at Boeing.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2024

For a second, two seconds, they had exchanged an equivocal glance, and that was the end of the story.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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