prevarication

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevarication" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an act of intentionally avoiding the truth or deviating from facts. For example, "The politician's prevarication of the facts made him lose the trust of the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After some prevarication this spring, Trudeau ultimately rejected calls to form a coalition with the NDP in order to topple the Tories, citing personal differences with Mulcair.

The Guardian

[Hoggart] wrote beautifully clear English, but he could sniff out deceit, prevarication or plain bullshit at 100 paces.

The Guardian

His biographer, John Rentoul, says he likes to string people along and keep options open, while waiting to see what falls into his lap.The second term will provide fewer opportunities for prevarication and more for making enemies.

The Economist

The only major difference the SNP would abolish Trident where Labour might not invites as much prevarication over the next five years as did the coalition agreement between the pro-Trident Conservatives and the Trident-sceptic Liberal Democrats in 2010.

The Economist

And it is hard to miss the icy impatience with which some Europeans treat British prevarication over their role in the European Union.

The Economist

It is surely no coincidence that after months of prevarication the Poles agreed immediately after Russia invaded Georgia to let America base missile defences (ostensibly against a future threat from Iran) on Polish territory.To say that Russia's strength is exaggerated is not to say that it should be allowed to escape its Georgian adventure unpunished.

The Economist

And after ten years of prevarication, Project Kuwait will finally take wing in 2004, allowing foreign firms a direct stake in exploiting the country's northern oil reserves.Saudi Arabia's relations with Qatar are close to breaking point following America's decision to move its troops and military control centre there.

The Economist

But that is no reason to prolong the prime minister's prevarication.

The Economist

After three days of prevarication, Chubu Electric, the plant's operator, reluctantly agreed to a shutdown.The head of Japan's business lobby called Mr Kan's decision a piece of theatre that would harm industry nearby, including factories run by Honda and Toyota.

The Economist

But prevarication over the construction of new pipelines has both undermined those threats and exasperated the Chinese.

The Economist

But prevarication by Mr Yushchenko and his prime minister, Yulia Timoshenko, is more surprising.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevarication" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of avoiding the truth, especially when someone is expected to be direct or honest.

Common error

Avoid using "prevarication" to describe mere hesitation or uncertainty. It implies a conscious intent to deceive or mislead, not just a delay in speaking or acting.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prevarication" is as a noun. It typically refers to the act of speaking or acting evasively or misleadingly. As Ludwig shows, it is used to describe actions that avoid directness or truthfulness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevarication" is a noun denoting evasiveness or a lack of candor. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for use in formal and neutral contexts. It is very common, especially in news and media. When aiming for clarity and precision in writing, remember that "prevarication" implies a deliberate intent to avoid the truth, distinguishing it from mere hesitation or uncertainty. Consider alternatives like "evasiveness" or "equivocation" if a less accusatory tone is desired. Using "prevarication" effectively involves recognizing its connotation of intentional deception, ensuring its usage aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evasiveness

Focuses more on avoiding direct answers without necessarily implying falsehood.

equivocation

Highlights the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth.

shuffling

Suggests a delaying tactic in responding or acting.

dodging

Implies actively avoiding a question or responsibility.

hedging

Involves limiting commitment or backing away from a firm statement.

indecision

Emphasizes the lack of a firm decision, leading to delay.

procrastination

Indicates delaying or postponing an action or decision.

circumlocution

Highlights the use of many words where fewer would do, often to be evasive.

beating around the bush

An idiomatic expression for avoiding the main point.

stalling

Focuses on intentionally causing a delay.

FAQs

How to use "prevarication" in a sentence?

"Prevarication" is typically used as a noun. For example, "The politician's "prevarication" during the inquiry raised serious doubts about his honesty."

What are some synonyms for "prevarication"?

Alternatives to "prevarication" include "evasiveness", "equivocation", and "circumlocution". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "prevarication" and "lying"?

While both involve dishonesty, "prevarication" often implies a more subtle form of deception than outright lying. "Prevarication" might involve avoiding the truth or being deliberately ambiguous, whereas lying is a direct statement of falsehood.

When is it appropriate to use the word "prevarication"?

Use "prevarication" when you want to highlight a calculated attempt to avoid the truth, often in situations where transparency and honesty are expected. It's stronger than simply saying someone is being "evasive".