Thesaurus results for PALTER

Q: How does the verb 'palter' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of palter are equivocate , fib , lie , and prevaricate . While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises. // a swindler paltering with his investors

Q: When is 'equivocate' a more appropriate choice than 'palter'?

While the synonyms equivocate and palter are close in meaning, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another. // equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fib' instead of 'palter'?

The words fib and palter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth. // fibbed about the price of the new suit

Q: When can 'lie' be used instead of 'palter'?

Although the words lie and palter have much in common, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty. // lied about where he had been

Q: How do 'prevaricate' and 'lie' relate to one another, in the sense of 'palter'?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue. // during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

palter

verb

ˈpȯl-tər

Definition of palter next

as in to deal

to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase unwilling to palter over the price of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb palter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of palter are equivocate, fib, lie, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

When is equivocate a more appropriate choice than palter?

While the synonyms equivocate and palter are close in meaning, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is it sensible to use fib instead of palter?

The words fib and palter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When can lie be used instead of palter?

Although the words lie and palter have much in common, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of palter?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of palter Rather than wait to share the witches’ paltering pronouncements with Lady M (Indira Varma) in person, the thane of Glamis chooses to send word to his wife in advance of his return from battle. —

Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palter

Verb

Last month, as part of the ceasefire deal, Israel started allowing Palestinians to cross the Netzarim corridor and return to their homes in the North.

— Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
Experts warn that rhetoric like this could rattle the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

— Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025