Prevaricate vs Equivocal: Meaning And Differences

Are you tired of people using big words that you don’t understand? Do you find yourself constantly reaching for a dictionary to decipher what someone is trying to say? Well, fear not! Today we are going to tackle two words that are often used interchangeably but have distinct differences: prevaricate and equivocal.

Let’s clarify which of the two words is the proper word to use in certain situations. Prevaricate is the proper word to use when someone is deliberately avoiding the truth or being evasive. Equivocal, on the other hand, is the proper word to use when something is ambiguous or unclear.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s dive a little deeper into the definitions of each word. Prevaricate comes from the Latin word “praevaricari,” which means to walk crookedly or to straddle. In modern usage, it means to speak or act in an evasive or deceptive way. Equivocal, on the other hand, comes from the Latin word “aequus,” which means equal, and “vocare,” which means to call. In modern usage, it means to use language that is intentionally vague or ambiguous.

So why do people often confuse these two words? It could be because they both involve some level of deception or ambiguity. However, it’s important to use the correct word in the correct situation to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the difference between prevaricate and equivocal, let’s explore some examples of how they can be used in everyday language.

Define Prevaricate

Prevaricate is a verb that means to speak or act in an evasive way. It is often used to describe someone who is being intentionally vague or misleading in their communication. Prevarication can take many forms, from outright lying to using ambiguous language to avoid giving a direct answer. In essence, prevarication is a way of avoiding the truth or hiding one’s true intentions.

Examples of prevarication might include a politician who dodges a question about their stance on an issue, a salesperson who exaggerates the benefits of a product, or a student who makes excuses for why they didn’t complete an assignment on time. In each case, the person is using prevarication as a way of avoiding the truth or manipulating the situation to their advantage.

Define Equivocal

Equivocal is an adjective that means ambiguous or open to interpretation. It is often used to describe language or communication that is deliberately vague or unclear. Unlike prevarication, which implies an intent to deceive, equivocation can be unintentional or simply a result of poor communication skills.

Examples of equivocal language might include a statement that is technically true but misleading, or a response that fails to address the question at hand. For instance, a doctor might use equivocal language when discussing a patient’s prognosis if they are uncertain about the outcome. Similarly, a lawyer might use equivocation when discussing a case if they are unsure about the strength of their argument.

While equivocation can be frustrating or confusing for those trying to understand a message, it is not necessarily dishonest or unethical. In some cases, it may be a necessary way of communicating uncertainty or nuance.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

As a writer, it’s important to have a strong grasp of vocabulary and know how to use words correctly in a sentence. Two words that are often confused are “prevaricate” and “equivocal.” In this section, we’ll discuss how to use these words properly in a sentence.

How To Use “Prevaricate” In A Sentence

“Prevaricate” means to avoid telling the truth or being straightforward. Here are some examples of how to use “prevaricate” in a sentence:

• He was known to prevaricate when asked about his involvement in the scandal.
• The politician continued to prevaricate when questioned about his stance on the issue.
• She tried to prevaricate when asked about the missing funds, but eventually confessed.

Notice how each of these sentences uses “prevaricate” to describe someone avoiding the truth or being evasive. It’s important to use “prevaricate” in a context where someone is intentionally being misleading or avoiding the truth.

How To Use “Equivocal” In A Sentence

“Equivocal” means to be ambiguous or unclear. Here are some examples of how to use “equivocal” in a sentence:

• The company’s statement was equivocal and did not provide a clear answer.
• Her response to the question was equivocal, leaving us unsure of her position.
• The study’s results were equivocal and did not provide a definitive conclusion.

Notice how each of these sentences uses “equivocal” to describe something that is unclear or ambiguous. It’s important to use “equivocal” in a context where something is uncertain or not clearly defined.

More Examples Of Prevaricate & Equivocal Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use prevaricate and equivocal in a sentence. These examples will help you gain a better understanding of how to use these words in context and improve your vocabulary.

Examples Of Using Prevaricate In A Sentence

• The politician prevaricated when asked about his stance on gun control.
• Don’t prevaricate, just tell me the truth.
• He prevaricated when asked about his whereabouts on the night of the crime.
• The witness prevaricated when questioned about what she saw.
• She prevaricated when asked if she had seen the missing documents.
• The CEO prevaricated when asked about the company’s financial situation.
• He prevaricated when asked if he had been drinking before the accident.
• The suspect prevaricated when questioned about his involvement in the robbery.
• She prevaricated when asked if she had been in contact with the defendant.
• The employee prevaricated when asked about his reasons for leaving the company.

Examples Of Using Equivocal In A Sentence

• The candidate’s response was equivocal, leaving many unsure of his stance on the issue.
• His answer was equivocal, and it was unclear whether he would be attending the event or not.
• The statement from the company was equivocal and did not provide a clear explanation for the product recall.
• The witness’s testimony was equivocal and did not provide a clear account of what happened.
• The coach’s response was equivocal, and it was unclear whether the team would be making any changes to their strategy.
• The expert’s opinion was equivocal, and there was no clear consensus on the best course of action.
• The judge’s ruling was equivocal, and it left both parties uncertain about the outcome of the case.
• The scientist’s findings were equivocal, and further research was needed to draw any definitive conclusions.
• The manager’s response was equivocal, and it was unclear whether the project would be moving forward or not.
• The customer’s feedback was equivocal, and it was difficult to determine whether they were satisfied with the product or not.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using prevaricate and equivocal, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of each other.

Prevaricate

Prevaricate means to speak or act in an evasive way. It is often used to describe someone who is being intentionally vague or misleading. For example, a politician who avoids answering a direct question may be accused of prevaricating.

Equivocal

Equivocal, on the other hand, means ambiguous or open to interpretation. It is often used to describe a statement or situation that is unclear or uncertain. For example, a statement that could be interpreted in multiple ways may be described as equivocal.

Here are some common mistakes people make when using prevaricate and equivocal interchangeably:

• Using prevaricate to mean ambiguous or uncertain
• Using equivocal to mean intentionally vague or misleading
• Assuming that prevaricate and equivocal are synonyms

It is important to understand the distinctions between these two words in order to use them correctly. Here are some tips to avoid making these mistakes:

1. Pay attention to the context in which the words are being used
2. Look up the definitions of prevaricate and equivocal to ensure you are using them correctly
3. Read examples of the words being used in context to gain a better understanding of their meanings

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words prevaricate and equivocal, context is key. Both words can be used to describe a lack of clarity or straightforwardness, but they have slightly different connotations and are better suited for certain contexts.

Prevaricate

Prevaricate is often used to describe someone who is intentionally avoiding the truth or being deceptive. It implies a deliberate attempt to mislead or deceive, and is often associated with politicians or lawyers who are trying to avoid answering a question directly.

For example, a politician might prevaricate when asked about their stance on a controversial issue. They might use vague language or deflect the question entirely in order to avoid taking a clear position. In this context, prevaricate is the more appropriate word to use.

Equivocal

Equivocal, on the other hand, implies a lack of clarity or ambiguity. It can be used to describe a statement or situation that is open to interpretation or could be interpreted in multiple ways.

For example, a scientific study might have equivocal results if the data is inconclusive or could be interpreted in different ways. In this context, equivocal is the more appropriate word to use.

Another example might be a situation where someone is trying to express a complex or nuanced idea, but is struggling to find the right words. In this case, their language might be equivocal because it is not clear or straightforward.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some additional examples of different contexts where the choice between prevaricate and equivocal might change:

Context	More Appropriate Word
A legal case where a witness is not being truthful	Prevaricate
A scientific study with inconclusive results	Equivocal
A conversation where someone is trying to express a complex idea	Equivocal
A political speech where the speaker is avoiding a question	Prevaricate

As you can see, the choice between prevaricate and equivocal can depend on the specific context in which they are used. By understanding the nuances of these words and their connotations, you can choose the word that is most appropriate for the situation at hand.

Exceptions To The Rules

Identifying Exceptions

While prevaricate and equivocal are generally used in distinct ways, there are certain exceptions where the rules for using these words may not apply. These exceptions may occur due to contextual nuances or specialized usage in certain fields.

Exceptions Explained

Here are some exceptions to the rules for using prevaricate and equivocal, along with explanations and examples for each case:

Exception	Explanation	Example
Legal Terminology	In legal terminology, prevaricate may be used to refer to intentionally misleading or false statements made under oath, while equivocal may refer to statements that are ambiguous or unclear.	The witness was accused of prevaricating during the trial.
Psychology	In psychology, equivocal may be used to describe a situation where there is no clear answer or explanation for a particular phenomenon.	The results of the study were equivocal, leaving researchers uncertain about the underlying causes of the observed behavior.
Politics	In politics, prevaricate may be used to describe a politician who avoids answering a question directly, while equivocal may refer to a statement that is intentionally vague or ambiguous for strategic purposes.	The politician prevaricated when asked about their stance on the controversial issue.

It is important to note that these exceptions are not universal and may vary depending on the context and field of usage. As such, it is always advisable to consult a dictionary or style guide for guidance on the appropriate usage of prevaricate and equivocal in a given context.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between prevaricate and equivocal, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and usage of these two words.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank:

1. During the press conference, the politician ___________ when asked about his involvement in the scandal.
2. The company’s statement was deliberately ___________, leaving investors unsure about the future of the business.
3. She was known to ___________ when asked difficult questions, making it hard to trust her.

Answer Key:

1. prevaricated
2. equivocal
3. prevaricate

Exercise 2

Write a sentence using prevaricate:

Example: The witness tried to prevaricate when asked about his whereabouts on the night of the crime.

Exercise 3

Write a sentence using equivocal:

Example: The CEO’s equivocal response to the question raised suspicions about the company’s financial health.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more confident in using prevaricate and equivocal in your writing and conversations. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used, and always strive for clarity in your communication.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that there is a significant difference between prevaricate and equivocal. Prevaricate refers to intentionally misleading or lying, while equivocal refers to being ambiguous or unclear in speech or writing.

It is important to understand the distinction between these two terms, as using them interchangeably can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. By using the correct word in the appropriate context, we can communicate more effectively and avoid any potential misinterpretations.

Key Takeaways

• Prevaricate and equivocal are two distinct words with different meanings.
• Prevaricate means to intentionally mislead or lie.
• Equivocal means to be ambiguous or unclear in speech or writing.
• Using the correct word in the appropriate context is essential for effective communication.

As with any aspect of language use, it is important to continue learning and expanding our knowledge. By doing so, we can improve our communication skills and avoid common grammar mistakes.

Whether you are a professional writer or simply someone who wants to communicate more effectively, taking the time to learn about grammar and language use is a worthwhile investment.