tergiversate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.
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to turn renegade.
verb
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to change sides or loyalties; apostatize
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to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tergiversate
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin tergiversātus (past participle of tergiversārī “to turn one's back”), equivalent to tergi- (combining form of tergum “back”) + versātus, past participle of versāre, frequentative formed from versus, past participle of vertere “to turn”; see -ate 1
Explanation
Use the verb tergiversate when you need a fancy way to describe someone who's beating around the bush, or being deliberately unclear. A politician who really doesn't want to answer a reporter's question is likely to tergiversate, or talk and talk without ever taking a definitive stand. Your relatives may even tergiversate at holiday gatherings when uncomfortable topics come up. The Latin root word, tergiversari, literally means "to turn one's back," or more figuratively, "to be evasive."
Vocabulary lists containing tergiversate
Words That Could Go Either Way: Synonyms for "Maybe"
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The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing
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Waver
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After these indignant effusions, Spenser in proceeding with the “Faery Queen” tergiversated in his feelings.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac
Ignoring the inevitable, tergiversating and equivocating have too often characterized the policies of the Big Powers - the kind of behaviour that turned the Balkan into the morass that it is today.
From Terrorists and Freedom Fighters by Vaknin, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
