different between equivocal vs misleading

English

Alternative forms

• æquivocal (rare, obsolete)

Etymology

From Late Latin aequivocus +? -al, from aequus +? voc?.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??kw?v?k?l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??kw?v?k(?)l/
• hyphenation UK: equivo?cal

Noun

equivocal (plural equivocals)

1. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.

   Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque

Translations

Adjective

equivocal (comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal)

1. Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.

   Synonyms: ambiguous, indeterminate

   Antonyms: unequivocal, univocal

   • 1817, William Hazlitt, Characters of Shakespeare's Plays

     For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.

2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign.

   Synonyms: uncertain, doubtful, incongruous

   Antonym: certain

   • 1796, Edmund Burke, a letter to a noble lord

     How equivocal a test.

Derived terms

• equivocality
• equivocalness

Related terms

• equivocation
• equivoque

Translations

Further reading

• equivocal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• equivocal in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

English

Etymology

mislead +? -ing

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -i?d??

Adjective

misleading (comparative more misleading, superlative most misleading)

1. Deceptive or tending to mislead or create a false impression, even if technically true.

Synonyms

• mistakable
• confusing

Derived terms

• misleadingly
• unmisleading

Translations

Verb

misleading

1. present participle of mislead

Noun

misleading (plural misleadings)

1. A deception that misleads.
   • 2012, Jennifer Mather Saul, Lying, Misleading, and What is Said (page 70)

     According to this tradition, acts of deception that are mere misleadings are morally better than acts of deception that are lies.

Anagrams

• misaligned, misdealing