equivocation
/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication: I say this without equivocation...
- But Congressional equivocation also reflects Congressional ambivalence.
- Despite the nobility of its conception, this odyssey will end in irresolution and equivocation - as indeed it must.
- No question has been raised as to any equivocation, ambiguity or uncertainty in the interpretation of that will.
Synonyms
prevarication, vagueness, qualification, ambiguity, uncertainty, ambivalence, indecision, doubt;
beating about the bush, evasion, dodging, hedging, fudging, doublespeak;
fencing, parrying;
vacillation, shilly-shallying, cavilling, wavering, quibbling, quibble;
temporizing, hesitation, stalling (for time), shuffling;
British humming and hawing
informal pussyfooting (around), waffle, waffling, flannel, weasel words
archaic paltering
rare tergiversation