Definition of Prevarication

1. Noun. A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth.

Exact synonyms: Lie
Generic synonyms: Falsehood, Falsity, Untruth
Specialized synonyms: Fib, Story, Tale, Taradiddle, Tarradiddle, Jactitation, Walloper, Whopper, White Lie
Derivative terms: Lie, Prevaricate

2. Noun. Intentionally vague or ambiguous.
Exact synonyms: Equivocation, Evasiveness
Generic synonyms: Ambiguity, Equivocalness, Untruthfulness
Derivative terms: Equivocate, Evasive, Prevaricate

3. Noun. The deliberate act of deviating from the truth.
Exact synonyms: Fabrication, Lying
Generic synonyms: Falsification, Misrepresentation
Specialized synonyms: Fibbing, Paltering
Derivative terms: Fabricate, Lie, Prevaricate

Definition of Prevarication

1. n. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing.

Definition of Prevarication

1. Noun. (rare) Deviation from what is right or correct; transgression, perversion. ¹

2. Noun. Evasion of the truth; deceit, evasiveness. ¹

3. Noun. Evasiveness as a means of playing for time; procrastination, hesitancy. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Prevarication

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Prevarication

prevalents
prevalidate
prevalidated
prevalidates
prevalidating
prevalidation
prevalidations
prevalue
prevalued
prevalues
prevaluing
prevaricate
prevaricated
prevaricates
prevaricating
prevarication (current term)
prevarications
prevaricator
prevaricators
prevascular
preve
preved
prevenancy
prevene
prevened
prevenes
prevenience
preveniences
prevenient
prevenient grace

Literary usage of Prevarication

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

1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1910)
"This classical animal, which has given rise to more misunderstanding and downright prevarication than perhaps any other animal, ..."

2. Publications by Oxford Historical Society (1907)
"... but he lost himself through his prevarication, when Dr. Brickenden was elected io Master of Pembroke Coll. in opposition to Mr. Archdeacon Hunt, ..."

3. The Greville Memoirs: A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV., King by Charles Greville (1903)
"... Lord Palmerston's Italian Sympathies—The Electric Telegraph- Opposition in France to the War—The Emperor's prevarication— Opening of Parliament—Debates ..."

4. Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms by Frederic Sturges Allen (1920)
"shift; spec, dodge, prevarication, tergiversation. even, a. 1. Referring to adjoining surfaces: level, equal (archaic), smooth, flat, regular; spec, flush. ..."

5. A Treatise on the Law of Evidence as Administered in England and Ireland by John Pitt Taylor (1887)
"... the court- martial, in the event of las non-attendance to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or of his prevarication, possesses also an alternative ..."

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