equivocate
to speak ambiguously or avoid commitment
Roots
- equ / equi: equal, even, level, or fair
- voc / vok: call or voice
Other words with the equ / equi root
- equal: the same in amount, level, or status
- equanimity: mental calmness and balance
- equilibrium: balance; a stable even state
- equitable: fair and impartial
- equity: fairness or justice
- equivalent: equal in value, force, or meaning
- equivocal: ambiguous or deliberately unclear
Other words with the voc / vok root
- advocate: to support or argue for
- equivocal: ambiguous or deliberately unclear
- evoke: to call forth or bring to mind
- provocative: reaction-calling or deliberately stirring
- revoke: to call back or cancel
- vocabulary: the words known or used by someone
- vocal: relating to the voice
Equivocate gives equal voice to multiple meanings so the speaker avoids landing anywhere.
The politician equivocated until nobody knew what he actually supported.
The trick in equivocate is that equalness becomes slipperiness. If two voices get equal room, the speaker can avoid choosing either one.