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

But regardless of any issue — foreign or domestic — none justifies placing a narcissistic, prevaricating con man in the Oval Office.

From Los Angeles Times

You didn’t have to cover American politics very long to realize that politicians lied, prevaricated and said things that were demonstrably untrue all the time.

From Salon

The big question going into his face-off with Kamala Harris was which iteration of the perennially aggrieved, perpetually prevaricating ex-president would show up.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump lied and prevaricated from start to finish, banging out his old hits with a special spice for his audience.

From Salon

"This law has enough strength to not be changed by the prevaricating judges who want it to hit the rocks," said Pilar Vallugera, of ERC.

From BBC