prevaricate (prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- (intr) to speak or act falsely or evasively with intent to deceive
Alternative Forms
preˌvariˈcation noun preˈvariˌcator nounWord Origin
C16: from Latin praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from prae beyond + vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin vārus bentSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
evade,
lie,
shift,
hedge,
shuffle,
dodge,
deceive,
flannel,
quibble,
beg the question,
beat about the bush,
cavil,
equivocate,
stretch the truth
palter,
give a false colour to
tergiversate,
Usage examples
When I knew that I could prevaricate no longer, I spent an unhappy afternoon agonising over which stories to give her to read.
, LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)"But I also urge Labour not to prevaricate on the next step.
New Zealand Herald (2004)Conti may prevaricate but he has spoken out in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)Don't forget, it is only in the Argentinians ' interest to prevaricate.
, ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)