Prevaricate

Definition

Prevaricate is a verb meaning to speak or act in an evasive or misleading way to avoid giving a direct answer or to hide the truth; to equivocate.

Parts of Speech

• Verb (intransitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /prɪˈvær.əˌkeɪt/
• Respelling: pri-VAIR-uh-kate

British English

• IPA: /prɪˈvær.ɪ.keɪt/
• Respelling: pri-VAIR-ih-kate

Etymology

Mid 16th century: from Latin praevaricatus, past participle of praevaricari “to walk crookedly, to transgress,” from prae- “before” + varicare “to straddle.”

Derivatives

• prevarication (noun)
• prevaricator (noun)
• prevaricative (adjective)
• prevaricatory (adjective)

Synonyms

• equivocate
• hedge
• tergiversate
• vacillate
• stall

Antonyms

• confront
• address
• clarify
• declare
• assert

Usage

The verb "prevaricate" is used in formal and everyday contexts to describe avoiding a direct answer or deliberately misleading. For example, "When pressed for details, the CEO prevaricated about the missing funds," or "She prevaricates whenever the conversation turns to her personal life."

Related Terms

• Equivocation: The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth.
• Circumlocution: Talking around a subject instead of directly addressing it.
• Evasion: The act of avoiding something, especially a direct question.
• Hesitation: Pausing or delaying in speech.
• Deception: The act of deceiving or misleading.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To speak or act in an evasive way – to avoid giving a straightforward answer.
  • Example: "Politicians often prevaricate when asked uncomfortable questions."
• To deliberately mislead or withhold the truth – to equivocate or stall.
  • Example: "He prevaricated about the cost of the repairs to avoid upsetting her."