temporize

[ tem-puh-rahyz ]
See synonyms for: temporizetemporizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),tem·po·rized, tem·po·riz·ing.
  1. to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.

  2. to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances.

  1. to treat or parley so as to gain time (usually followed by with).

  2. to come to terms (usually followed by with).

  3. to effect a compromise (usually followed by between).

Origin of temporize

1
First recorded in 1570–80; from Middle French temporiser “to wait one's time,” from Medieval Latin temporizāre “to put off the time, hang back, delay,” equivalent to Latin tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + Late Latin -izāre -ize
  • Also especially British, tem·po·rise .

Other words for temporize

Other words from temporize

  • tem·po·ri·za·tion, noun
  • tem·po·riz·er, noun
  • tem·po·riz·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·tem·po·riz·ing, adjective
  • non·tem·po·riz·ing·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with temporize

Words Nearby temporize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use temporize in a sentence

  • They might temporize with their own consciences, but not with public opinion.

    Mary Wollstonecraft | Elizabeth Robins Pennell
  • The young man began to temporize, saying that it would be necessary for him to get a license and a preacher.

  • But Brand had made no mistake in estimating this youngster's force of character, nor did he seek to temporize.

    The Pillar of Light | Louis Tracy
  • To temporize with a known evil, announces either weakness, uncertainty, or collusion.

    Good Sense | Paul Henri Thiry, Baron D'Holbach
  • "I have not thought about that matter yet," she said, determined to temporize with the wretch, and gain a few days' respite.

British Dictionary definitions for temporize

temporize

temporise

/ (ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz) /


verb(intr)
  1. to delay, act evasively, or protract a discussion, negotiation, etc, esp in order to gain time or effect a compromise

  2. to adapt oneself to the circumstances or occasion, as by temporary or apparent agreement

Origin of temporize

1
C16: from French temporiser, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, from Latin tempus time

Derived forms of temporize

  • temporization or temporisation, noun
  • temporizer or temporiser, noun

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