Another Word For Prevaricating

Meaning

The word "prevaricating" refers to the act of avoiding telling the truth or being straightforward. It can involve speaking or behaving in a way that is not clear or definite, often to deceive or evade a question. Essentially, when someone is prevaricating, they are not being honest or direct; instead, they are dodging the issue or providing misleading information.

Synonyms

• Evading
• Equivocating
• Hedging
• Waffling
• Prevaricate (the verb form)

Antonyms

• Confronting
• Direct
• Honest
• Truthful
• Transparent

Etymology

The word "prevaricate" comes from the Latin "praevaricari," which means "to stray" or "to walk crookedly." It is formed from "prae," meaning "before," and "varicare," meaning "to straddle" or "to deviate." This origin reflects the idea of straying from the truth.

Examples

1. The witness was prevaricating during the trial, making it difficult for the jury to determine what really happened.
2. When asked about his absence, he began prevaricating, offering vague excuses instead of a straightforward answer.
3. Politicians are often accused of prevaricating when discussing sensitive issues, as they fear providing a definitive stance.