Meaning & use
Prevaricate
Last updated
To speak or act evasively in order to avoid giving a direct or truthful answer.
See it in a sentence
The senator prevaricated for several minutes before finally answering the reporter's question.
Stop prevaricating and tell me what really happened.
A note on using this word
From Latin praevaricari, originally meaning 'to walk crookedly'; it is often confused with 'procrastinate,' though prevaricating is about dodging the truth, not delaying action.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Prevaricate”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.