temporize
to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.
to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances.
to treat or parley so as to gain time (usually followed by with).
to come to terms (usually followed by with).
to effect a compromise (usually followed by between).
Origin of temporize
1- 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
- temporalize, 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 PennellThe young man began to temporize, saying that it would be necessary for him to get a license and a preacher.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow PaineBut Brand had made no mistake in estimating this youngster's force of character, nor did he seek to temporize.
The Pillar of Light | Louis TracyTo 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.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily | Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
British Dictionary definitions for temporize
temporise
/ (ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz) /
to delay, act evasively, or protract a discussion, negotiation, etc, esp in order to gain time or effect a compromise
to adapt oneself to the circumstances or occasion, as by temporary or apparent agreement
Origin of temporize
1Derived 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
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