Ambiguous antonyms

Synonyms: ambiguous , equivocal , vague These adjectives mean lacking clarity, especially by being open to a variety of interpretations. Ambiguous indicates the presence of two or more possible meanings: "It was impossible to tell from his ambiguous expression whether he knew what was happening" (Paul Theroux). Something equivocal is unclear or misleading: "The polling had a complex and equivocal message for potential female candidates" (David S. Broder). What is vague is expressed in indefinite form or reflects imprecision of thought: "Vague ... forms of speech ... have so long passed for mysteries of science" (John Locke). Switch to Adj. 1. ambiguous - open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead; "an equivocal statement"; "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"; "the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness"; "popularity is an equivocal crown"; "an equivocal response to an embarrassing question" having more than one possible meaning. After the cat caught the mouse, it died is an ambiguous statement (ie it is not clear whether it = the cat or = the mouse). dubbelsinnig غَامِض двусмислен ambíguo dvojznačný tvetydig mitmetähenduslik مبهم؛ دوپهلو monitulkintainen דוּ-מַשמָעִי द्वयर्थी dvosmislen kétértelmű arti mendua, taksa, ambigu tvíræður, margræður あいまいな 모호한 dviprasmiškas divdomīgs; neskaidrs samar مبهم ، غیرواضح، نا څرګند ambiguu...

Adjective( • clear, and having no uncertainty or ambiguity • * An LR( k'') grammar is clearly unambiguous''', since the definition implies every derivation tree must have the same handle, and by induc- tion there is only one possible tree. It is interesting to point out further- more that nearly every grammar which is known to be '''unambiguous is either an LR(''k'') grammar, or (dually) is a right-to-left translatable grammar, or is some grammar which is translated using "both ends to- ward the middle." Thus, the LR(''k ) condition may be regarded as the most powerful general test for nonambiguity that is now available. Adjective( • Open to multiple interpretations. The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision. • Vague and unclear. He gave an ambiguous answer. • (obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides. • * 1662 ( Thomas Salusbury) And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous , and Simplicius is resolute....

Wiktionary Rate these synonyms: 4.0 / 1 vote • ambiguous adjective Synonyms: Antonyms: • ambiguous adjective Open to multiple interpretations. The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision. Synonyms: Antonyms: • ambiguous adjective Vague and unclear. He gave an ambiguous answer. Synonyms: Antonyms: • ambiguous adjective Of persons: hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides. Thomas Salusbury (1662): And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute.... Synonyms: Antonyms: Equivocal (Latin equus, equal, and vox, voice, word) denotes that which may equally well be understood in either of two or more ways. Ambiguous (Latin ambi, around, and ago, drive, lead) signifies lacking in distinctness or certainty, obscure or doubtful through indefiniteness of expression. Ambiguous is applied only to spoken or written statements; equivocal has other applications. A statement is ambiguous when it leaves the mind of the reader or hearer to fluctuate between two meanings, which would fit the language equally well; it is equivocal when it would naturally be understood in one way, but is capable of a different interpretation; an equivocal expression is, as a rule, intentionally deceptive, while an ambiguous utterance may be simply the result of a want either of clear thought or of adequate expression. That which is enigmatical must be guessed like a riddle; a statement may be purposely made enigmatical in order to provoke thought...