temporize
[tem-puh-rahyz]
verb (used without object), tem·po·rized, tem·po·riz·ing.
to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.
to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances.
to treat or parley so as to gain time (usually followed by with).
to come to terms (usually followed by with).
to effect a compromise (usually followed by between).
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Also especially British, tem·po·rise.
Origin of temporize
1570–80; < Medieval Latin temporizāre to hang back, delay, equivalent to Latin tempor- (stem of tempus) time + Medieval Latin -izāre -ize
Synonyms for temporize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for temporize
Historical Examples of temporize
She was anxious to temporize, for she did not see how to answer her appeal.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
They might temporize with their own consciences, but not with public opinion.
Mary WollstonecraftElizabeth Robins Pennell
It is hard to temporize when confronted with a businesslike silence.
She tried to temporize, but the more she eluded him the more insistent he became.
The Strange Case of Mortimer FenleyLouis Tracy
Thus Blake tried to temporize, so that he might think what was best to do.
The Moving Picture Boys on the CoastVictor Appleton
temporize
temporise
verb (intr)
Word Origin for temporize
C16: from French temporiser, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, from Latin tempus time
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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