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Equivocal vs. Vague — What's the Difference?

Equivocal vs. Vague — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Equivocal and Vague

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Equivocal

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
The equivocal nature of her remarks

Vague

Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning
Many patients suffer vague symptoms

Equivocal

Open to two or more interpretations and often intended to conceal the truth.

Vague

Not clear in meaning or expression; inexplicit.

Equivocal

Characterized by a mixture of opposing elements and therefore questionable or uncertain
Evidence of the drug's effectiveness has been equivocal.
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Vague

Not thinking or expressing oneself clearly
"Most of us are quite vague about the theoretical underpinnings of the medical theories that guide our doctors" (Kwame Anthony Appiah).

Equivocal

Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.
Equivocal words
An equivocal sentence

Vague

Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct
Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog.

Equivocal

Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
His actions are equivocal.

Vague

Indistinctly felt, perceived, understood, or recalled; hazy
A vague uneasiness.

Equivocal

Uncertain, as an indication or sign.

Vague

Not clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms.

Equivocal

(philosophy) A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.

Vague

Not having a precise meaning.
A vague term of abuse

Equivocal

Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence.
For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.

Vague

Not clearly defined, grasped, or understood; indistinct; slight.
Only a vague notion of what’s needed
A vague hint of a thickening waistline
I haven’t the vaguest idea.

Equivocal

Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal.

Vague

Not clearly felt or sensed; somewhat subconscious.
A vague longing

Equivocal

Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful.

Vague

Not thinking or expressing one’s thoughts clearly or precisely.

Equivocal

A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.
In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found.

Vague

Lacking expression; vacant.

Equivocal

Open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead;
An equivocal statement
The polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates
The officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness
Popularity is an equivocal crown
An equivocal response to an embarrassing question

Vague

Not sharply outlined; hazy.

Equivocal

Open to question;
Aliens of equivocal loyalty
His conscience reproached him with the equivocal character of the union into which he had forced his son

Vague

Wandering; vagrant; vagabond.

Equivocal

Uncertain as a sign or indication;
The evidence from bacteriologic analysis was equivocal

Vague

(obsolete) A wandering; a vagary.

Vague

An indefinite expanse.

Vague

(archaic) to wander; to roam; to stray.

Vague

To become vague or act in a vague manner.

Vague

To make vague negative comments publicly; to make highly veiled complaints or insults.

Vague

Wandering; vagrant; vagabond.
She danced along with vague, regardless eyes.

Vague

Unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition.
This faith is neither a mere fantasy of future glory, nor a vague ebullition of feeling.
The poet turned away, and gave himself up to a sort of vague revery, which he called thought.

Vague

Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report.
Some legend strange and vague.

Vague

An indefinite expanse.
The gray vague of unsympathizing sea.

Vague

A wandering; a vagary.

Vague

To wander; to roam; to stray.

Vague

Not clearly understood or expressed;
An obscure turn of phrase
An impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit
Their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear
Vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science

Vague

Not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished;
An undefined term
Undefined authority
Some undefined sense of excitement
Vague feelings of sadness
A vague uneasiness

Vague

Lacking clarity or distinctness;
A dim figure in the distance
Only a faint recollection
Shadowy figures in the gloom
Saw a vague outline of a building through the fog
A few wispy memories of childhood

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