the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, esp. in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.

an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque

The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations.

Logic . a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

noun

directness , facing , meeting

noun

ambiguity , amphibology , casuistry , coloring , con , cop out , cover , cover-up , deceit , deception , deceptiveness , delusion , dissimulation , distortion , double entendre , double meaning , double talk , doubtfulness , duplicity , equivocality , evasion , fallacy , fib , fibbing , hedging , lie , line * , lying , misrepresentation , prevarication , quibbling routine , run-around , shuffling , song * , song and dance * , sophistry , speciousness , spuriousness , stall , stonewall * , tergiversation , waffle * , equivoque , euphemism , hedge , shuffle , weasel word , double-entendre