prevaricate

[pri-var-i-keyt]

verb (used without object)

prevaricated, prevaricating 

1. to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.

   Synonyms: shift, evade

prevaricate

/ prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to speak or act falsely or evasively with intent to deceive

Other Word Forms

• prevarication noun
• prevaricative adjective
• prevaricatory adjective
• unprevaricating adjective
• prevaricator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevaricate¹

1575–85; < Latin praevāricātus, past participle of praevāricārī to straddle something, (of an advocate) collude with an opponent's advocate, equivalent to prae- pre- + vāricāre to straddle, derivative of vārus bent outwards, bow-legged

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevaricate¹

C16: from Latin praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from prae beyond + vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin vārus bent

Example Sentences

While Mr. Rees is keen to dispel the myths ginned up by imperial writers, he doesn’t prevaricate when the evidence shows that their fears may not have been entirely unfounded.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Martin Van Buren, the only American president whose first language was not English, was a manipulative and prevaricating weasel.

Read more on Salon

After days of conflicting statements and prevaricating, he sent Leavitt out to offer a message that was sure to make everyone mad: He will decide in "two weeks."

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But regardless of any issue — foreign or domestic — none justifies placing a narcissistic, prevaricating con man in the Oval Office.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

You didn’t have to cover American politics very long to realize that politicians lied, prevaricated and said things that were demonstrably untrue all the time.

Read more on Salon