palter

[ pawl-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.
2. to bargain with; haggle.
3. to act carelessly; trifle.

palter

/ ˈpɔːltə /

verb

1. to act or talk insincerely
2. to haggle

Derived Forms

• ˈpalterer, noun

Other Words From

• palter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of palter¹

1530–40 in sense “to speak indistinctly,” perhaps alteration of falter in same sense, with p- from palsy ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palter¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

You can equivocate, or dissemble, or palter, or mislead, or prevaricate, or fib, or perjure.

From Washington Post

Which brings us to Thursday’s main event, a hearing before the Senate committee that has already seen two Democratic truth-seekers demonstrate a Trumpian zest for paltering with the truth.

From Washington Post

But if you say, "I drove it yesterday in 10-below temperatures and it drove well," even if you know it's been to the shop twice in the last month, that's paltering.

From Los Angeles Times

Though not a new term -- he says it's borrowed from the field of philosophy -- Rogers and his co-authors have co-opted the concept of paltering for the field of negotiation.

From Washington Post

Rogers says the findings can also serve as a reminder, to everyone, to watch out for those who may try to use paltering against them.

From Time