Equivocation

Equivocation is using the same word in two different senses inside one argument. The argument looks connected because the word repeats, but the meaning changed partway through.

Example

"Banks are safe; river banks are banks; so river banks are safe" uses "banks" two ways.

See also

• Scope Shift
• Flaw in the Reasoning
• Valid Argument

Back to the full glossary

Last updated October 12, 2026