prevarication

[ pri-var-i-key-shuhn ]

/ prɪˌvær ɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

Save This Word!

the act of prevaricating, or lying: Seeing the expression on his mother's face, Nathan realized this was no time for prevarication.

a false or deliberate misstatement; lie: Her many prevarications had apparently paid off; she was free to go.

QUIZZES

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 12

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

I concealed the name of my boat from her, and made a calculated prevarication when I announced my presence in London.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
There was no prevarication or difficulty with the only witness examined.
Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 (Vol 1)|Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
He had by a violent effort recovered his equanimity, and said,—'Prevarication or denial I suppose to be useless.
Continental Monthly, Vol. I. February, 1862, No. II.|Various
I am ashamed of the prevarication; his heart certainly was broken, but his own hand assisted the slower operations of nature.
Bentley's Miscellany, Volume II|Various

One nation robs another—that other demands reparation—prevarication is the reply.
Abridgement of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856 (4 of 16 vol.)|Various