Obliquy

Obliquy refers to the quality of being indirect, evasive, or intentionally misleading in communication or behavior. It suggests a departure from straightforwardness, often employing subtle hints, ambiguity, or roundabout methods to express a thought, convey information, or achieve a particular goal. obliquy can manifest in various forms, ranging from diplomatic phrasing and calculated silences to sarcastic remarks and veiled accusations. The intent behind obliquy may vary, encompassing everything from politeness and strategic circumvention to deceit and malicious manipulation.

Obliquy meaning with examples

• The diplomat employed obliquy during the negotiations, carefully choosing his words to avoid outright rejection while subtly expressing his country's reservations. His indirect approach allowed for potential compromise without directly closing any doors, maintaining an air of openness while safeguarding national interests. This style proved effective in the tense situation.
• Sarah used a form of obliquy when questioned about her relationship with John. Instead of directly stating whether they were dating, she answered in terms of how much she enjoyed her time with him which deflected the question. This tactic gave her a measure of control over the conversation and allowed her to gauge the intent of the questioner without revealing personal information.
• The comedian thrived on obliquy, delivering punchlines that were not immediately apparent, instead creating a series of carefully constructed jokes relying on a double-meaning. This added a layer of cleverness to his humor, compelling the audience to work harder for the satisfaction of “getting the joke” while still offering accessibility.
• The accusatory letter was written with biting obliquy, the author implying wrong-doing while meticulously avoiding direct accusations. The ambiguity created an unsettling atmosphere, fostering suspicion and planting seeds of doubt about the subject of the letter. This manipulative strategy aimed at damaging the recipient’s reputation without providing concrete evidence.