palter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “palter” mean?
to act insincerely, especially in speech or negotiations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to act insincerely, especially in speech or negotiations; to haggle meanly or trifle with something important.
To talk or act falsely or misleadingly; to quibble or equivocate; to treat a serious matter with frivolity or deceit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The word is equally archaic and literary in both variants.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of archaic or Shakespearean deceit. In British English, it might be slightly more associated with historical or parliamentary contexts of equivocation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both regions, found primarily in historical texts, formal rhetoric, or deliberate literary affectation.
Grammar
How to Use “palter” in a Sentence
[Subject] palters with [Object][Subject] palters over [Object][Subject] palters [Adverbial]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “palter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of paltering with the facts during the select committee hearing.
- We shall not palter over the sovereignty of the nation.
American English
- The senator refused to palter with lobbyists on the ethics bill.
- He palters with the truth so often his word is worthless.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. A modern equivalent would be 'to engage in bad-faith negotiations' or 'to misrepresent.'
Academic
Occasionally found in historical, literary, or political philosophy texts discussing rhetoric, ethics, or diplomacy.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used or understood by the general public.
Technical
No standard technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “palter”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “palter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “palter”
- Using it to mean 'to hesitate' (more 'waver' or 'falter').
- Confusing it with 'paltry' (which means insignificant, though they are related etymologically).
- Using it in informal contexts where it would seem bizarrely archaic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or literary. You will most likely encounter it in historical texts or very formal writing.
'Lie' is a direct falsehood. 'Palter' is more about being evasive, using misleading language, quibbling over details, or acting insincerely in a negotiation without necessarily telling a flat-out lie.
Almost never. Its meaning is inherently pejorative, implying a lack of integrity. To say someone 'palters' is to criticize their honesty or seriousness.
The direct noun 'palterer' (one who palters) exists but is even rarer than the verb. The related noun 'paltering' refers to the act or an instance of paltering.
to act insincerely, especially in speech or negotiations.
Palter is usually formal, literary in register.
Palter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɔːltə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɔːltər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not a man to palter”
- “palter in a double sense”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shopkeeper who ALTERs the price dishonestly while you PARLEY (talk). He PAL-TERs with you.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A CONTRACT; to palter is to offer a counterfeit contract. HONESTY IS STRAIGHTNESS; to palter is to take a crooked path.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the act of 'paltering'?