Prevaricate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Prevaricate is a verb meaning (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).
Meaning
(transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).
More Meanings
- (intransitive) To speak or act in a manner that is intentionally ambiguous or evasive; equivocate.
- (intransitive, law) To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
- (law, UK) To undertake something falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Example Sentences
The people saw the politician prevaricate every day.
Word Forms
- prevaricates
- prevaricating
- prevaricated
Synonyms for prevaricate
Depending on context, synonyms include equivocate, fabricate, fib, lie, tergiversate, waffle.
Antonyms for prevaricate
Common opposites include direct.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include tergiversate, palter, equivocate, usurp, lie, aberrate.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.