Practice prevaricate: Flashcards, Spelling & Quizzes

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Prefix pre-

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Artifice and Falseness

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Behavior and Conduct

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Clandestine and Conniving

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Duplicity and Deceit

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Manipulation and Deception

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Dishonesty and Concealment

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prevaricate

Prevaricate (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

verb

IPA:

/prɪˈvarɪkeɪt/

What does prevaricate mean?

To speak or act in a way that is evasive, non-committal, or untruthful.
"Politicians often prevaricate when confronted with tough questions."

Detailed Meaning of Prevaricate

It is often used to describe someone who is not straightforward or honest in their communication, and who avoids giving a clear or direct answer to a question or statement.

To prevaricate is to speak or act in a way that is intended to deceive or mislead, often by avoiding or sidestepping an issue or question. The act of prevaricating can involve the use of vague or ambiguous language, evasive tactics, or outright lies. It can also be used to describe someone who is indecisive or avoids making a commitment.

Prevaricate can also be used as a verb to describe the act of evading or avoiding a question or issue, often in an effort to deceive or mislead others. This behavior can be used to avoid responsibility, to buy time, or to avoid confrontation.

Example Sentences for Prevaricate

1. It's frustrating when people prevaricate instead of giving straightforward answers.
2. Don't prevaricate, just tell me the truth.
3. The suspect continued to prevaricate during the interrogation.
4. The company's CEO was known to prevaricate when addressing financial issues.
5. I can't stand it when people prevaricate to avoid taking responsibility.
6. The witness seemed to prevaricate when asked about the events of that night.

Origin and Etymology of Prevaricate

The verb 'prevaricate' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'praevaricari,' which combines 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'varicare' meaning 'to straddle' or 'to walk with wide steps.' Originally, it had a literal sense of walking with wide steps or straddling, but over time, it took on a more figurative meaning related to deceitful behavior. 'Prevaricate' etymologically conveys the idea of straddling the truth, figuratively speaking, by speaking or acting in a way that is evasive, non-committal, or untruthful. The term 'prevaricate' emphasizes the intent to avoid directness or honesty, often by employing ambiguous or misleading language. Its etymology underscores the notion of straying from the straightforward path of truth and integrity in communication or action.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb prevaricate:

be straightforward

be direct

evade

clarify

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Prevaricate

1. Some individuals prevaricate to avoid making commitments.
2. It's essential to have open communication and not prevaricate in a relationship.
3. The salesman's attempt to prevaricate didn't convince the customer.
4. Politicians often prevaricate to avoid making unpopular decisions.
5. The lawyer accused the opposing counsel of trying to prevaricate during the trial.
6. I won't tolerate any prevarication in this matter.
7. The company's spokesperson has a tendency to prevaricate when addressing the media.
8. The employee's prevarication raised suspicions among the team.
9. Don't prevaricate; just give me a straight answer.
10. The suspect continued to prevaricate under intense questioning.
11. The politician's prevarication was met with widespread criticism from the public.
12. We need someone who won't prevaricate in times of crisis.
13. The teacher urged the students not to prevaricate and be honest about their mistakes.
14. He tends to prevaricate when asked about his true intentions.
15. Politicians often prevaricate to avoid taking a clear stance.
16. Don't prevaricate; just tell us what you really think.
17. It's frustrating when people prevaricate instead of being honest.
18. She tried to prevaricate, but the evidence was against her.
19. In a crisis, it's not the time to prevaricate; decisive action is needed.
20. Detectives can spot when suspects prevaricate during questioning.
21. Prevaricating only erodes trust in relationships.
22. The CEO's tendency to prevaricate caused uncertainty among employees.
23. Journalists strive to get straight answers and not allow sources to prevaricate.
24. It's best to be straightforward and not prevaricate when facing a dilemma.