Paltering

Paltering refers to the act of speaking or acting deceptively or evasively, often by using ambiguous or misleading language to avoid giving a direct or honest answer. It involves a deliberate distortion of the truth to create a false impression or to deflect attention from a critical issue. This may be achieved through the manipulation of facts, the selective presentation of information, or the use of subtle ambiguities and half-truths. The goal of paltering is typically to gain an advantage, to deceive, or to obfuscate, thereby shielding the speaker from unwanted scrutiny or responsibility. This behavior often undermines trust and transparency in communication and relationships.

Paltering meaning with examples

• The politician was accused of paltering when questioned about their campaign finances. They offered vague responses, avoided specifics, and used carefully chosen words to create the illusion of transparency without revealing any actual details, frustrating journalists.
• Instead of directly addressing the company's declining performance, the CEO engaged in paltering, highlighting minor successes and offering optimistic predictions, while glossing over significant issues and the need for difficult decisions.
• In negotiations, the salesperson practiced paltering, making exaggerated claims about the product's benefits while failing to disclose its limitations, hoping to persuade the customer to make a purchase based on misleading information.
• The witness, under oath, resorted to paltering in their testimony, carefully crafting answers that were technically true but designed to misrepresent the facts and mislead the jury, thus hoping to avoid conviction.