prevaricate
verb | /prevaricate/
Advanced WordsHARD
to be deliberately evasive or ambiguous in order to mislead
prevaricate
verb | /prevaricate/
Advanced WordsHARDto be deliberately evasive or ambiguous in order to mislead
Learning Progress
Synonyms
equivocatehedgetergiversateliebeat around the bush
Antonyms
declareverifystate plainlytestify
Examples
"When asked directly he began to prevaricate instead of answering."
"Politicians sometimes prevaricate to avoid committing to policy."
Mnemonic Trick
PREVARICATE → PRE + VARI + CATE: vary the truth before — dodge the question.
Etymology
From Latin praevaricari “to act illegally, evade.”
Used for avoiding direct answers or lying by omission.
Source: Advanced WordsAdded: 9/28/2025
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