prevaricate Definition
pre·vari·cate (pri var′i kāt′)
intransitive verb -·cat′ed, -·cat′·ing
- to turn aside from, or evade, the truth; equivocate
- to tell an untruth; lie
Etymology: < L praevaricatus, pp. of praevaricari, to prevaricate, lit., to walk crookedly < prae-, before + varicare, to straddle < varicus, straddling < varus, bent apart < IE base *wa- > vary
prevaricate Related Forms
pre·var′i·ca′·tion noun
pre·var′i·ca′·tor noun
prevaricate Synonyms
prevaricate Usage Examples
Preposition: for
year: He accused Saddam of prevaricating for 12 years and failing to disarm his " horrific arsenal " of chemical and biological weapons.
Modifying Another Word
- endlessly: We are endlessly prevaricating, comparing and experimenting instead of deciding, giving, and committing.
- still: I'm still prevaricating over modes of transport to ALDC ' s meeting in Hebden Bridge tomorrow.
- blatantly: He was blatantly prevaricating, in order to cause me delay.
Browse dictionary entries near prevaricate
- ‹ prevalent
- ‹ prevalence
- ‹ prevailing party
- ‹ prevailing
- ‹ prevail upon
- ‹ prevail
- ‹ prev.
- ‹ pretzel
- ‹ Pretty Good Privacy
- ‹ pretty
- prevarication ›
- prevaricator ›
- prevenient ›
- prevent ›
- preventative ›
- prevented ›
- prevention ›
- preventive ›
- preventive detention ›
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