circumlocution

What does “circumlocution” mean?

noun.the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in passages discussing politics, communication, or literature, highlighting instances where speakers or writers avoid directness. It emphasizes a strategic use of language to obscure meaning or evade accountability, distinguishing it from simpler terms like "evasion," which may not carry the same connotation of verbosity or intent.

Common Confusions

Circumlocution implies a verbose and intentional avoidance of clarity, while evasion usually suggests a more straightforward act of avoiding a question or responsibility without the emphasis on wordiness.

Example Sentences

• His long circumlocution made a simple point maddeningly unclear.

Word Parts: How to Remember “circumlocution”

Break “circumlocution” into its parts: circum- (around) + -loqu- (speak). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: circum- around (Latin)
• Root: -loqu- speak (Latin)