ambiguous, equivocal, unequivocal
- ambiguous, equivocal, unequivocal
Ambiguous means "having several possible meanings," "open to differing interpretations": "I don't understand your answer; it's ambiguous." Equivocal is closely related in meaning to ambiguous, but it is more often used to signify "not determined," "of doubtful nature," "open to a double interpretation": "The judge found the loyalty of this citizen to be equivocal." Ambiguous is applied only to written or spoken statements; equivocal can apply to speech, writing, actions, and ideas. Unequivocal, directly opposite in meaning to equivocal, means "clear," "having only one possible meaning or interpretation": "His refusal to pay the bill is unequivocal."
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
equivocal — See ambiguous. See ambiguous, equivocal, unequivocal … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
unequivocal — See ambiguous. See ambiguous, equivocal, unequivocal … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
ambiguous — See ambiguous, equivocal, unequivocal … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
unequivocal — [adj] definite, positive absolute, apparent, categorical, certain, clear, clear cut, decided, decisive, direct, distinct, downright, evident, explicit, flat out*, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, manifest, no catch*, no … New thesaurus
Unequivocal — Un e*quiv o*cal, a. Not equivocal; not doubtful; not ambiguous; evident; sincere; plain; as, unequivocal evidence; unequivocal words. {Un e*quiv o*cal*ly}, adv. {Un e*quiv o*cal*ness}, n. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
equivocal — ambiguous, *obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic Analogous words: dubious, questionable, *doubtful Antonyms: unequivocal Contrasted words: *explicit, express, definite, specific, categorical: perspicuous, lucid, *clear … New Dictionary of Synonyms
equivocal — [adj] doubtful, uncertain ambiguous, ambivalent, amphibological, borderline, clear as mud*, clouded*, disreputable, dubious, evasive, fishy*, fuzzy*, hazy*, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, misleading, muddled, muzzy*, oblique, obscure,… … New thesaurus
unequivocal — [un΄ē kwiv′ə kəl] adj. not equivocal; not ambiguous; plain; clear unequivocally adv … English World dictionary
equivocal — 1. noun /əˈkwɪvəkəl/ A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. Syn: double entendre 2. adjective /əˈkwɪvəkəl/ a) (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; … Wiktionary
ambiguous — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. vague, undecided, uncertain; obscure, undefined. See doubt, latency, obscurity, unintelligibility. Ant., clear, explicit. II (Roget s IV) modif. Syn. equivocal, enigmatic, vague, amphibolic; see… … English dictionary for students
