verb

prevaricate

/prɪˈværɪkeɪt/ · say it: prih·VAR·uh·kayt

to speak evasively; to avoid the truth

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

to avoid telling the truth by being deliberately vague or giving misleading answers; to lie or deceive

Examples

When asked directly about his involvement, he began to prevaricate instead of giving a clear answer.

How to use prevaricate

Prevaricate means to deliberately obscure or avoid the truth through evasion, vagueness, or misleading statements—it's stronger than simply lying and suggests intentional obfuscation. It's often used in formal or critical contexts to describe someone who is being deliberately unclear or evasive, particularly in political or legal settings. The term implies a somewhat calculated or habitual pattern of dishonesty.

Common phrases

prevaricate on the issue
prevaricate about the truth
prevaricate deliberately
cease prevaricating
known to prevaricate

Synonyms

equivocate · dissemble · hedge · beat around the bush · obfuscate

Opposites

be frank · be forthright

Word family

prevarication (noun) · prevaricator (noun) · prevaricatory (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse prevaricate with procrastinate (to delay or postpone); they are unrelated and the words should not be used interchangeably.

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