prevaricate

[ pri-var-i-keyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pre·var·i·cat·ed, pre·var·i·cat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• preˈvariˌcator, noun
• preˌvariˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• pre·vari·cation noun
• pre·vari·cative pre·var·i·ca·to·ry [pri-, var, -i-k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• unpre·vari·cating adjective

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

Boris Johnson may have once prevaricated about Brexit, but his political identity is now bound to it.

From Fortune

They can dodge or prevaricate or just hang up when dealing with a voice on the phone.

From The Daily Beast

He should have no opportunity to prevaricate if I once challenged him.

From Project Gutenberg

They Act up to their Relation; neither sneak, nor prevaricate, nor do any thing unbecoming their Office.

From Project Gutenberg

They dont have to tell the truth all the time, but on the contrary, are privileged to prevaricate in the most artistic manner.

From Project Gutenberg

If he wished to prevaricate at all, it was rather to attribute himself to Mrs. Bowen's city in Ohio.

From Project Gutenberg

The patient tried to prevaricate, but Glory told the truth again, and was reproved once more.

From Project Gutenberg