Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An equivocal word used to deprive a statement of its force or to evade a direct commitment.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun pejorative A word used to qualify a statement so as to make it potentially misleading.
- verb To use weasel words.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an equivocal qualification; a word used to avoid making an outright assertion
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Take out all the weasel words. Words such as "really", "probably", "likely" and "almost certainly". In fact, if it's got an "ly" attachment, give that word a good hard look and (really) think about whether it (actually) belongs in there.
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Of course, weasel words have their rightful place too. Consider these sentences: “Why had I done that? I knew better.” Yes, “knew” is a weasel word, but it also provides a succinct, concrete meaning that would be difficult to retain with other wording.
How Writers Can Trap Sneaky Weasels Susanne Lakin 2015
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Weasel words are the empty calories of sentence writing, little bits of filler that, while technically correct, either don’t add anything meaningful or prevent you from writing the best sentences you can.
Exercise #14: Hunting Weasel Words Matt Bell 2021
whichbe commented on the word weasel word
Deliberately misleading or ambiguous elements of language used to avoid making a straightforward statement while simultaneously generating the illusion that a direct, clear form of communication is being utilized. This type of language is used to deceive, distract, or manipulate an audience. (Wikipedia)
July 26, 2008