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Equivocal vs Equivalent

Equivocaladjective

open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead

Full entry for Equivocal

Equivalentadjective

being essentially equal to something

The difference

Equivocal means deliberately ambiguous. Equivalent means equal in value. An equivocal answer; an equivalent amount.

How to keep them apart

Equivocal shares its root with equivocate — to avoid committing. Equivalent commits to an exact match.

Other pairs worth knowing

All confused pairs · SAT list · GRE list · Full word list