as in to delay
formal
to avoid making a decision or giving a definite answer in order to have more time
Pressured by voters on both sides of the issue, the congressmen temporized.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 temporize
Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022
But in the aftermath of the Georgia victories, which gave their party control of the Senate, congressional Democrats were in no mood to temporize.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2021
Otherwise, the overriding temptation will be to delay, to temporize.
—Noam Cohen, WIRED, 18 July 2019
Successive political generations of leaders of nuclear powers have temporized impotently or even mischievously assisted these elements, as Pakistan has assisted Iran and North Korea, who have assisted each other.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 21 Sep. 2017
This is a president who, when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his people, did not temporize.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 5 July 2017
IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022
But in the aftermath of the Georgia victories, which gave their party control of the Senate, congressional Democrats were in no mood to temporize.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2021
Otherwise, the overriding temptation will be to delay, to temporize.
—Noam Cohen, WIRED, 18 July 2019
Successive political generations of leaders of nuclear powers have temporized impotently or even mischievously assisted these elements, as Pakistan has assisted Iran and North Korea, who have assisted each other.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 21 Sep. 2017
This is a president who, when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his people, did not temporize.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 5 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporize
Verb
-
Hours after taking office, Trump signed multiple executive orders, including one action delaying a nationwide ban of the social media platform TikTok.—
Alex Thomas,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Construction on the museum began in 2005, yet years of economic instability, political turmoil, and COVID-19 delayed development.—
Kate McMahon,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But despite her plea for funding, the City Council authorized only a fraction of it and hiring stalled, caught up in the red tape of L.A. bureaucracy, according to a new report.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
-
In a shocking turn of events, the Astros could look to land Bregman after his negotiations with other teams stalled.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Plan to linger over natural wine and a mix of market-fresh plates as the music slowly shifts, turning the venue into a bit more of a party as the day goes on.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
-
On top of triggering radical change, this powerhouse transit is shedding light on what’s been lingering beneath the surface, leaving us with no choice but to embrace the transformation that is ahead.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near temporize
Cite this Entry
“Temporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporize. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share