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circumlocutory

[/ˌsɜːkəmˈlɒkjətəri/]
adjective
circunlocutório
1. Using or characterized by circumlocution; expressing something in a roundabout way; evasive or indirect in speech or writing
His circumlocutory explanation confused rather than clarified the issue.
Sua explicação circunlocutória confundiu em vez de esclarecer o assunto.
2. Speaking in many words when few would suffice; verbose and indirect
The politician gave a circumlocutory response to avoid directly answering the question.
O político deu uma resposta circunlocutória para evitar responder diretamente à pergunta.
Synonyms
roundaboutindirectevasiveverboseperiphrasticwordylong-winded
Antonyms
directconcisestraightforwardexplicitbrief

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
circunlocutório
standard term used in formal Portuguese
Portugal
circunlocutório
standard term used in formal Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
talk in circles
use a lot of words to say nothing
speak indirectly
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