Which term means to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment?

Which term means to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment?

• A. Equivate
• B. Equivocate
• C. Evade
• D. Hedge

Answer: (B)

Equivocate means to use ambiguous language on purpose in order to conceal the truth or avoid committing to a clear position. When someone equivocates, their words can be understood in multiple ways, letting them dodge a definite answer or mislead without lying outright. For example, replying with “It depends” or “I can see both sides” in a situation that needs a firm stance is a classic case of equivocation. The other terms don’t fit as precisely: equivate isn’t a standard word; evade means to dodge or escape, not specifically to language-based ambiguity; hedge involves qualifying statements to avoid commitment, but the defining feature here is deliberate linguistic ambiguity, which is captured by equivocate.

Equivocate means to use ambiguous language on purpose in order to conceal the truth or avoid committing to a clear position. When someone equivocates, their words can be understood in multiple ways, letting them dodge a definite answer or mislead without lying outright. For example, replying with “It depends” or “I can see both sides” in a situation that needs a firm stance is a classic case of equivocation. The other terms don’t fit as precisely: equivate isn’t a standard word; evade means to dodge or escape, not specifically to language-based ambiguity; hedge involves qualifying statements to avoid commitment, but the defining feature here is deliberate linguistic ambiguity, which is captured by equivocate.