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ambiguous intention

[/æmˈbɪɡjuəs ɪnˈtenʃən/]
noun phrasepl: ambiguous intentions
intenção ambígua
1. A purpose, plan, or goal that is unclear, vague, or capable of being interpreted in multiple ways
His ambiguous intention to 'help' the project left everyone confused about his true motives.
Sua intenção ambígua de 'ajudar' o projeto deixou todos confusos sobre seus verdadeiros motivos.
2. An intent or objective that is deliberately or unintentionally obscured or open to different interpretations
The politician's ambiguous intention to reform the system satisfied neither side of the debate.
A intenção ambígua do político de reformar o sistema não satisfez nenhum dos lados do debate.
Synonyms
unclear intentionvague purposeequivocal aimobscure motivedubious intent
Antonyms
clear intentionexplicit purposeunambiguous aimtransparent motiveobvious intent

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
intenção ambígua
Standard usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
intenção ambígua
Formal and standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
intenção ambígua
Standard usage, may be expressed colloquially as 'intenção confusa'
Portugal
intenção ambígua
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
play it close to the chest
speak with forked tongue
leave room for interpretation
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