Palter

To palter means to act insincerely or deceitfully, particularly by using ambiguous language or equivocation. It involves a lack of honesty in communication, often to mislead or confuse others. A person who palters may dance around the truth, avoiding straightforward answers and creating confusion about their intentions or beliefs.

Palter meaning with examples

• During the negotiations, the politician chose to palter, offering vague promises that left many in doubt about his true intentions.
• When questioned about her whereabouts on the night of the incident, she began to palter, providing convoluted excuses that only raised further suspicion.
• The lawyer's tendency to palter made it difficult for the jury to trust his statements, as he often twisted facts to suit his arguments.
• Instead of giving a direct response, he would palter, leaving his listeners puzzled and frustrated by his refusal to clarify his position.
• In her attempt to deflect criticism, she decided to palter, avoiding accountability by sidestepping the issues raised by her colleagues.