PREVARICATE Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of prevaricate are equivocate , fib , lie , and palter . While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue. // during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

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

Although the words equivocate and prevaricate have much in common, 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: In what contexts can 'fib' take the place of 'prevaricate'?

The synonyms fib and prevaricate are sometimes interchangeable, but fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth. // fibbed about the price of the new suit

Q: When would 'lie' be a good substitute for 'prevaricate'?

The words lie and prevaricate can be used in similar contexts, but lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty. // lied about where he had been

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

While the synonyms palter and prevaricate are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises. // a swindler paltering with his investors

prevaricate

verb

pri-ˈver-ə-ˌkāt

Definition of prevaricate next

as in to lie

to make a statement one knows to be untrue during the hearings the witness was willing to prevaricate in order to protect his friend

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How does the verb prevaricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prevaricate are equivocate, fib, lie, and palter. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

When is equivocate a more appropriate choice than prevaricate?

Although the words equivocate and prevaricate have much in common, 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

In what contexts can fib take the place of prevaricate?

The synonyms fib and prevaricate are sometimes interchangeable, but fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When would lie be a good substitute for prevaricate?

The words lie and prevaricate can be used in similar contexts, but lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

When is it sensible to use palter instead of prevaricate?

While the synonyms palter and prevaricate are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of prevaricate Why this fascination with a bigoted, prevaricating misogynist? —

Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024 The big question going into his face-off with Kamala Harris was which iteration of the perennially aggrieved, perpetually prevaricating ex-president would show up. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024 Last year he was criticized across the Anglo and German press for prevaricating about the Ukraine war in its early months. —

Thomas Meaney, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 Related Articles Letters: 2nd Amendment | Causes of homelessness | Sacrificing schools | Presidential immunity | Trump justices | Child care costs These justices prevaricate pride about constitutional textualism and the context of history. —

Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024 Erdogan, expected to reciprocate for the PKK’s withdrawal by offering the Kurds additional rights and some measure of local rule, prevaricated for months, instead attending to the anti-government protests that swept through Turkey during the summer. —

Piotr Zalewski, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2013 Cooper’s script, co-written with Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post, First Man, all wretched), prevaricates shamelessly through quasi–Harold Pinter style in which Bernstein and associates avoid directly addressing anything. —

Armond White, National Review, 22 Dec. 2023 These subpoenas and interview requests are yet further proof that this sham impeachment inquiry is driven only by the demands of the vengeful and prevaricating Donald Trump. —

Will Steakin, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2023 British politicians can say all sorts of rubbish to the BBC that wouldn’t count as a crime, but government ministers are not supposed to knowingly mislead — artfully prevaricate? —

Karla Adam, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023