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tergiversate

verb
ter·​gi·​ver·​sate | \ ˈtər-jə-vər-ˌsāt How to pronounce tergiversate (audio) ; ˌtər-ˈji-vər-ˌsāt, -ˈgi-; ˌtər-jə-ˈvər-\
tergiversated; tergiversating

Definition of tergiversate

intransitive verb

: to engage in tergiversation
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Other Words from tergiversate

tergiversator \ ˈtər-​jə-​vər-​ˌsā-​tər How to pronounce tergiversator (audio) , ˌtər-​ˈji-​vər-​ˌsā-​ , -​ˈgi-​ ; ˌtər-​jə-​ˈvər-​ \ noun

Synonyms for tergiversate

Synonyms

equivocate, fudge, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle, weasel

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Examples of tergiversate in a Sentence

shamelessly tergiversating, the witness replied, “Well, it depends upon what your definition of ‘truth’ is”

First Known Use of tergiversate

1590, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tergiversate

Latin tergiversatus, past participle of tergiversari to show reluctance, from tergum back + versare to turn, frequentative of vertere to turn — more at worth

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More from Merriam-Webster on tergiversate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tergiversate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tergiversate

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