What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prevaricate
Example
The politician prevaricated when asked about his involvement in the scandal. [prevaricated: past tense]
Example
She prevaricated when asked if she had seen the missing documents. [prevaricate: verb]
equivocate
Example
The CEO equivocated when asked about the company's plans for layoffs. [equivocated: past tense]
Example
He tends to equivocate when discussing sensitive topics. [equivocate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevaricate is less common than equivocate in everyday language. Prevaricate is typically used in formal or legal contexts, while equivocate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prevaricate and equivocate?
While both prevaricate and equivocate can be used in formal contexts, prevaricate has a more serious and formal tone, while equivocate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
