palter

American  

[pawl-ter] / ˈpɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.

2. to bargain with; haggle.

3. to act carelessly; trifle.

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palter British  

/ ˈpɔːltə /

verb

1. to act or talk insincerely

2. to haggle

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Other Word Forms

• palterer noun

Etymology

Origin of palter

1530–40 in sense “to speak indistinctly,” perhaps alteration of falter in same sense, with p- from palsy ¹

Example Sentences

You can equivocate, or dissemble, or palter, or mislead, or prevaricate, or fib, or perjure.

From Washington Post • May 3, 2021

"And if you don't abide by those, then there's no reason you would ever need to palter, because you could just say whatever you want."

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2017

"And if you don’t abide by those, then there’s no reason you would ever need to palter, because you could just say whatever you want."

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2016

To palter or hesitate is to show that she is there: to refuse to swear is equivalent to a betrayal.

From The Condition of Catholics Under James I. by Gerard, John

Yet time pressed, she could no longer palter with her love, she must be true to Clement now or false, she must suffer for him now or play the coward.

From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.