This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
tergiversate
[ tur-ji-ver-seyt ]
/ ˈtɜr dʒɪ vərˌseɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object), ter·gi·ver·sat·ed, ter·gi·ver·sat·ing.
to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.
to turn renegade.
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
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 -ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM tergiversate
ter·gi·ver·sa·tion, nounter·gi·ver·sa·tor, ter·gi·ver·sant [tur-ji-vur-suhnt], /ˌtɜr dʒɪˈvɜr sənt/, nounter·gi·ver·sa·to·ry [tur-ji-vur-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˌtɜr dʒɪˈvɜr səˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveWords nearby tergiversate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for tergiversate
tergiversate
/ (ˈtɜːdʒɪvəˌseɪt) /
verb (intr)
to change sides or loyalties; apostatize
to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate
Derived forms of tergiversate
tergiversation, nountergiversator or tergiversant (ˈtɜːdʒɪˌvɜːsənt), nountergiversatory, adjectiveWord Origin for tergiversate
C17: from Latin tergiversārī to turn one's back, from tergum back + vertere to turn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012