Definitions for weasel word
weasel word

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. weasel wordnoun

   an equivocal qualification; a word used to avoid making an outright assertion

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. weasel wordnoun

   A word used to qualify a statement so as to make it potentially misleading.

2. weasel wordverb

   To use weasel words.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Weasel word

   A weasel word, or anonymous authority, is an informal term for words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated. Examples include the phrases "some people say", "it is thought", and "researchers believe". Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place. Weasel words can be a form of tergiversation and may be used in advertising, (popular) science, opinion pieces and political statements to mislead or disguise a biased view or unsubstantiated claim. Weasel words can harshen or over-state a controversial statement. An example of this is using terms like "somewhat" or "in most respects", which make a sentence more ambiguous than it would be without them.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. weasel word

   A weasel word is a term used to describe vague, ambiguous or equivocal language that is used with the intention to mislead, deceive or avoid commitment. These words give an impression of meaning or significance but often lack substance or clarity, and can be used to distort or manipulate the truth in political, advertising or other persuasive contexts.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Weasel word

   A weasel word may be an informal term for equivocating words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim, or even a refutation has been communicated. For example, an advertisement may use a weasel phrase such as "up to 50% off on all products". This is misleading because the audience is invited to imagine many items reduced by the proclaimed 50%, but the words taken literally mean only that no discount will exceed 50%, and in extreme misrepresentation, the advertiser need not reduce any prices, which would still be consistent with the wording of the advertisement, since "up to 50" most literally means "any number less than or equal to 50". Another example is a letter of recommendation where the letter writer states "I cannot recommend this person highly enough", which would ordinarily be taken to mean that an amount of recommendation is sufficient to communicate the high stature of recommendation, while at the same time it literally means that there is no recommendation at all. In other cases, words with a particular subjective effect are chosen. For example, one person may speak of "resistance fighters" or "freedom fighters", while another may call the same subjects "terrorists". The underlying facts are the same, but a quite different impression is given.

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How to pronounce weasel word?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say weasel word in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of weasel word in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of weasel word in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=weasel word
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Weasel_Word
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_Word
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=weasel word