equivocation

Equivocation is a logical fallacy that occurs when a word or phrase with multiple meanings is used in a way that creates ambiguity and misleads the audience. This fallacy involves deliberately using language that is vague or uncertain, making it difficult to determine the true intent or meaning.123

For example, the word "gambling" can be used in different contexts. If someone argues that gambling should be legalized everywhere because it's "part of life," they might be using the word "gambling" to refer both to casinos and to everyday risks like driving a car. This shifts the meaning and creates a fallacious argument.1

In essence, equivocation exploits the different meanings of words to create a deceptive or unsound argument. It is a form of verbal fallacy that relies on ambiguity rather than sound reasoning.45