Equivocations are statements that are intentionally ambiguous or misleading, often used to conceal the truth or to avoid committing to a specific position. They rely on the use of vague language, double meanings, or evasive responses to create doubt or confusion. These verbal maneuvers are frequently employed in situations where direct answers could be problematic or expose the speaker to unwanted scrutiny or criticism. The aim of equivocation is to deceive or misdirect without explicitly lying.
Equivocations meaning with examples
- During the press conference, the politician's equivocations regarding his campaign finances left reporters frustrated, as he dodged direct questions with carefully worded statements that lacked clear details. The ambiguous responses served to obscure the source of donations. The electorate grew wary of the equivocations.
- The detective's suspect responded with equivocations when questioned about his whereabouts on the night of the crime, giving vague descriptions and avoiding direct answers about witnesses, which raised suspicions. The lawyer pointed out that his evasive replies made his intentions and actions suspect. The officers followed up on these equivocations.
- When asked about the company's recent layoffs, the CEO offered equivocations, speaking in generalities about market adjustments and restructuring rather than providing specific details. The employees felt they had been misled by the CEO's equivocations. The shares tumbled, and the share holders demanded specifics not equivocations.
- The philosopher used a series of clever equivocations in his argument, manipulating the definitions of key terms to lead his audience to a false conclusion. The audience became less sure of their decisions after hearing his equivocations. This led to a heated argument where his opponent pointed out the equivocations.