What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ambages
Example
The politician's ambages left the audience confused about his stance on the issue. [ambages: noun]
Example
She spoke in ambages, never getting to the point of her argument. [ambages: adverb]
circumlocution
Example
The lawyer's circumlocution made it difficult to understand the terms of the contract. [circumlocution: noun]
Example
He used circumlocution to avoid answering the question directly. [circumlocution: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Circumlocution is more commonly used than ambages in everyday language. Circumlocution is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ambages is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ambages and circumlocution?
Both ambages and circumlocution are formal words that are typically used in academic or professional contexts. However, circumlocution is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
