Prevaricating

Prevaricating is the act of speaking or acting in a way that deliberately avoids the truth or gives a misleading impression. It involves being evasive, ambiguous, or dishonest in order to conceal the truth, often to avoid blame, criticism, or consequences. It suggests a deliberate intent to deceive or mislead, often employing indirect language or incomplete information to achieve the desired outcome. The term implies a degree of cunning or craftiness in the effort to conceal the truth. It can also involve changing one's statements to fit the situation or audience.

Prevaricating meaning with examples

• The politician was accused of prevaricating when questioned about campaign finances. He gave vague answers and avoided direct responses, creating distrust. The journalists felt he was deliberately sidestepping their questions, attempting to protect himself from scrutiny, and failing to answer fully.
• During the investigation, the suspect was caught prevaricating about their whereabouts on the night of the crime. They offered inconsistent stories and shifted blame, ultimately making themselves appear guilty. The investigators saw through their attempts to mislead, seeing gaps in the story.
• When asked about the project's budget overruns, the CEO started prevaricating. Rather than provide concrete numbers, they gave general statements about 'challenges' and 'optimizing resources'. This dodging of a direct answer disappointed the investors.
• The witness found himself prevaricating under oath, as he tried to protect his friend. He used carefully chosen words and subtle omissions, hoping to avoid implicating his friend. However, his nervous manner and evasiveness created a sense of untruth.