Paltered

To act insincerely or deceitfully; to speak or behave evasively, often to avoid telling the truth or to gain an advantage. It suggests a deliberate attempt to mislead or misrepresent, often through the use of ambiguous language, half-truths, or outright lies. The implication is a lack of honesty and integrity in one's dealings. It can also refer to handling something in a clumsy or inadequate manner, implying a lack of skill or care, although this usage is less common.

Paltered meaning with examples

• The politician paltered with the public during the campaign, making promises he knew he couldn't keep. His deceptive rhetoric slowly unravelled with increased media scrutiny. The voters grew weary of his obfuscation, and quickly realized the candidate was more concerned with winning than actual policy and reform.
• Instead of directly addressing the issue, the company executive paltered, offering vague answers to avoid admitting fault. The stakeholders quickly noticed his evasive behavior. The evasiveness highlighted his lack of transparency, eroding trust in his leadership. Ultimately his reputation was damaged by his evasiveness.
• Faced with criticism, the artist paltered by claiming a misinterpretation of the meaning, rather than confronting accusations of plagiarism head-on. This further compounded the artist's problems, which quickly grew. It showed a lack of integrity in her dealings.
• He paltered in his attempt to fix the engine, making the situation worse due to his inexperience. His clumsiness led to frustration and more expense. This caused a larger problem and led to further repair costs.