What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
equivocally
Example
The politician answered the question equivocally, leaving the audience unsure of his stance. [equivocally: adverb]
Example
The instructions were written equivocally, causing confusion among the readers. [equivocally: adverb]
vaguely
Example
She vaguely remembered meeting him at a party once. [vaguely: adverb]
Example
The directions were written vaguely, making it hard to follow. [vaguely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vaguely is more commonly used than equivocally in everyday language. Vaguely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while equivocally is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between equivocally and vaguely?
Both equivocally and vaguely are relatively formal words, but equivocally may be perceived as more formal due to its less common usage and specific meaning.