Equivocally

Equivocally means in a way that is open to more than one interpretation; ambiguously. It implies a lack of clarity or certainty, leaving the meaning of something unclear or subject to debate. It can be used to describe statements, actions, or situations where the intended message or outcome is not explicitly defined. The use of equivocation often aims to avoid commitment, conceal the truth, or deliberately mislead, although it can also result from a genuine lack of precision or understanding. It's the quality of lacking clear significance.

Equivocally meaning with examples

• The politician answered the reporter's question equivocally, offering vague statements that avoided a direct response about his stance on the controversial bill. This lack of clarity left many voters unsure of his true intentions, despite a long speech about the topic. It was a masterful evasion technique, yet frustrating for his supporters.
• When asked if the company was facing financial difficulties, the CEO responded equivocally, saying only that they were 'exploring options'. This ambiguous response fueled speculation amongst investors and employees, as the meaning was intentionally hidden behind corporate speak about their finances, despite many layoffs.
• The instructions on the assembly manual were written equivocally, leading to considerable confusion during the construction process. Parts were mixed up and many users called for further clarification, which made an already frustrating process much worse. Poor drafting did not help anyone.
• The fortune teller's predictions were presented equivocally, leaving room for multiple outcomes depending on interpretation. This allows the listener to connect the statements to events in their own life, regardless of whether the prediction actually comes to pass. It is always vague and non-committal.
• After the incident, the police report described the events equivocally, giving two possible scenarios for what could have occurred. The reason for this was to allow for the possibility of further investigation. This meant that the true cause of the event was not known.