Prevaricated

To speak or act in an evasive way; to avoid telling the truth by using ambiguous language, offering misleading statements, or making excuses. It implies a deliberate attempt to deceive, often motivated by a desire to conceal the truth or avoid responsibility. The act of prevarication is usually undertaken strategically, with a specific purpose in mind, such as protecting oneself, manipulating a situation, or gaining an advantage. The degree of dishonesty can vary, ranging from minor omissions to outright lies, but the core element is the intentional distortion or withholding of the truth. Prevarication often involves subtle techniques of evasion, such as changing the subject, using vague language, or offering half-truths. It suggests a lack of candor and integrity in communication and can erode trust between individuals or groups. Repeated prevarication can significantly damage relationships.

Prevaricated meaning with examples

• During the investigation, the witness prevaricated, offering conflicting accounts and avoiding direct answers to the crucial questions. Her evasive responses led the detectives to suspect she was protecting someone and deliberately misleading them about the events of that night. Her attempts at deception ultimately failed, leading to the uncovering of more critical information that helped solve the crime, but the case was severely delayed.
• The politician prevaricated when questioned about his involvement in the controversial deal, offering carefully worded statements that obfuscated the truth. Instead of a direct answer, he employed vague generalities, promising to provide more details later without specifying when or how. His evasive nature was quite transparent, and the media quickly labeled him a master of the art of avoiding direct answers, thus sparking outrage and protest.
• Faced with difficult questions about the company's financial difficulties, the CEO prevaricated in his public statements, downplaying the severity of the situation. He chose to highlight positive aspects of the company's performance, ignoring the negative ones and offering optimistic forecasts that seemed unrealistic. His decision to misrepresent the financial situation was based on the fear of losing stakeholders.
• When confronted about her unauthorized use of company funds, the employee prevaricated, claiming she was confused about the policy. She avoided responsibility by feigning ignorance, offering an explanation that seemed unconvincing. The blatant misrepresentation led to her immediate dismissal and criminal investigation. Her prevarication was ultimately futile, as the evidence against her was irrefutable.