prevaricate

American  

[pri-var-i-keyt] / prɪˈvær ɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used without object)

prevaricated, prevaricating

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

   Synonyms:

   shift, evade

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prevaricate British  

/ prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of prevaricate

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

Example Sentences

The truth is that I prevaricated, just a little, on where to put Liverpool.

From New York Times

Mr. Netanyahu’s colleagues have prevaricated in recent days about whether he would use his office to avoid prosecution, with one minister on Saturday refusing to rule it out.

From New York Times

In this scenario, you wouldn’t be prevaricating when you applied for an appointment.

From New York Times

Tarkington, a talented and compassionate writer, neither wishes to shock nor to prevaricate with his plot.

From Washington Post

We would not say figures can lie, or even prevaricate.

From Washington Post