Meaning & use
Temporizing
Last updated
Acting evasively or delaying a decision in order to gain time or avoid commitment.
See it in a sentence
The committee kept temporizing instead of voting on the controversial proposal.
His temporizing responses frustrated reporters who wanted a clear answer.
A note on using this word
Temporizing carries a mildly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of courage or decisiveness rather than neutral delay.
Words with a similar meaning
stallingprocrastinating
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
decidingcommitting
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Adapting or compromising one's views to suit the circumstances of the moment.
Critics accused the senator of temporizing to please whichever audience he addressed.
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