Pronunciations (5)
-
/pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
-
/pɹɪˈvæɹɪkeɪt/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
/pɹɪˈvɛɹɪkeɪt/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt
Pronunciation notes
- GB
-
pɹɪˈvæɹɪkeɪt
Pronunciation notes
- US
Verb
To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).
Usage- Intransitive
- Obsolete
- Transitive
To speak or act in a manner that is intentionally ambiguous or evasive; equivocate.
Usage- Intransitive
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
The people saw the politician prevaricate every day.
More examples (2)
At the moment of her departure he could prevaricate no longer, and, confessing to the gambling, told her the truth as far as he knew it—that the guineas had been won by Wildeve.
[Boris Johnson] went: “You’re right, let’s get on with it. Let’s make the decision.” It took him another hour of prevaricating to reach the decision. He went outside, and I think that announcement changed the course of history.
To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
Usage- Intransitive
To undertake something falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Usage- UK usage
Verb
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information