prevaricate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “prevaricate” mean?
To speak or act in an evasive or deliberately ambiguous way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To speak or act in an evasive or deliberately ambiguous way; to avoid telling the direct truth.
To deliberately mislead or deviate from the truth by using vague or indirect language, often in order to avoid responsibility or commitment. It implies a more subtle and prolonged form of deception than outright lying.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning or application. The word is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative, implying a lack of honesty, integrity, and directness. In political contexts, it is a serious accusation.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. It is more common in formal writing, journalism (especially political commentary), and academic critique.
Grammar
How to Use “prevaricate” in a Sentence
to prevaricate (intransitive)to prevaricate on/about/over somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prevaricate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was caught prevaricating about the funding figures.
- When pressed, he began to prevaricate over the details of the contract.
adjective
British English
- The prevaricating witness was held in contempt of court.
- We are tired of their prevaricating tactics.
American English
- The prevaricating witness was held in contempt of court.
- We are tired of their prevaricating tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The CEO was criticized for prevaricating during the shareholder meeting when asked about the company's falling profits.
Academic
The historian noted that the official records prevaricated on the causes of the conflict.
Everyday
Stop prevaricating and tell me what you really think about my proposal.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields; more common in legal or political discourse.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prevaricate”
- Using 'prevaricate' to mean 'procrastinate' (delaying action). It's about evasive speech, not delay.
- Using it as a transitive verb, e.g., 'He prevaricated the truth' (incorrect). It's intransitive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both involve deception, 'prevaricate' specifically means to avoid telling the truth by being evasive, ambiguous, or misleading. A 'lie' is a direct, false statement. Prevarication is often seen as a more prolonged, indirect process of deception.
Almost never. The word carries a strongly negative connotation, implying dishonesty and a lack of moral courage. It is a term of criticism.
The noun form is 'prevarication'.
No, it is not. 'Prevaricate' is an intransitive verb, meaning it cannot take a direct object. You 'prevaricate' or 'prevaricate on/about something'. You cannot 'prevaricate something'.
To speak or act in an evasive or deliberately ambiguous way.
Prevaricate is usually formal, academic in register.
Prevaricate: in British English it is pronounced /prɪˈvarɪkeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /prɪˈverɪkeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He answered without prevarication.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a politician on a PRE-VARIOUS (precarious) path, trying not to slip up, so he uses vague language (PREVARICATE) to avoid giving a straight answer.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS A STRAIGHT PATH; PREVARICATION IS A WINDING, EVASIVE PATH.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following situations is someone most likely to be accused of prevaricating?