Definition of Temporize

1. Verb. Draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time. "The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote"

Exact synonyms: Temporise
Generic synonyms: Draw Out, Extend, Prolong, Protract
Derivative terms: Temporiser, Temporizer

Definition of Temporize

1. v. t. To comply with the time or occasion; to humor, or yield to, the current of opinion or circumstances; also, to trim, as between two parties.

Definition of Temporize

1. Verb. To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes in order to reach a compromise or simply to make a conversation more temperate. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Temporize

1. [v -RIZED, -RIZING, -RIZES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Temporize

temporary teeth
temporary tooth
temporary worker
tempore
temporin
temporins
temporise
temporised
temporiser
temporises
temporising
temporist
temporists
temporization
temporizations
temporize (current term)
temporized
temporizer
temporizers
temporizes
temporizing
temporizingly
temporo-
temporo-occipital
temporoauricular
temporofacial
temporofrontal tract
temporohyoid
temporomalar
temporomandibular

Literary usage of Temporize

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The History of the French Revolution by Adolphe Thiers, Frederic Shoberl (1844)
"... to temporize, to influence public opinion by the newspapers, to decry the government, and to prepare things in such a manner that the elections of the ..."

2. A Glossary: Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares (1859)
"... temporize with this running cats». It is introduced as the exclamation of an Italian, in the Malcontent, 0. PL, iv, 22. ..."

3. History of New Netherland by Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan (1855)
"... of Orange—Office of Stadtholder abolished—Overtures to Cromwell—Ambassadors appointed by the commonwealth—Their demand— The Dutch temporize—Indignities ..."

4. The Memoirs of the Duke of Sully: Prime-minister to Henry the Great by Maximilien de Béthune Sully, Charlotte Lennox (1817)
"The prince, however, could not long temporize; he wrote to all his friends to join with him: but his messenger was seized and carried to Fontainebleau; ..."

5. The New England Gazetteer: Containing Descriptions of the States, Counties by John Hayward (1857)
"They felt, therefore, constrained to temporize ; and while, with the rest of their brethren, they entered, as individually called by an imperious sense of ..."

6. The History of Wisconsin: In Three Parts, Historical, Documentary, and by William Rudolph Smith (1854)
"... army—Marches to the Prophet's town—Indians temporize with Harrison—He encamps, and is attacked in the night—Battle of Tippecanoe—All the Western posts ..."

7. History of Liberty by Samuel Eliot (1853)
"On the contrary, they were inclined to temporize with their Christian subjects. " I have become acquainted with Egypt," writes Hadrian to his brother-in-law ..."

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