Prevaricator: meaning, definitions and examples

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prevaricator

 

[ priˈverɪkeɪtə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

general use

A prevaricator is a person who speaks or acts in an evasive way, often by avoiding the truth or lying. They are known for their tendency to mislead others, particularly in communication.

Synonyms

deceiver, equivocator, fibber, liar

Examples of usage

  • The politician was called a prevaricator for dodging questions.
  • In his desperate attempt to escape the blame, he acted like a prevaricator.
  • The prevaricator spun a tale that nobody believed.
  • Her reputation as a prevaricator made it difficult for her to find trust.

Translations

Translations of the word "prevaricator" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prevaricador

🇮🇳 प्रीवेरिकेटर

🇩🇪 Prevarikator

🇮🇩 prevaricator

🇺🇦 превераліст

🇵🇱 prewarykator

🇯🇵 プリバリケーター

🇫🇷 prévaricateur

🇪🇸 prevaricador

🇹🇷 prevarikatör

🇰🇷 프리바리케이터

🇸🇦 مخادع

🇨🇿 prevarikátor

🇸🇰 prevarikátor

🇨🇳 预言者

🇸🇮 prevarikator

🇮🇸 prevaricator

🇰🇿 превератор

🇬🇪 პრევარიკატორი

🇦🇿 prevarikator

🇲🇽 prevaricador

Etymology

The term 'prevaricator' originates from the Latin word 'prevaricator', which comes from 'prevaricari', meaning 'to stray or to transgress'. The prefix 'pre-' signifies 'before', while 'vari' comes from 'varius', meaning 'different' or 'changing'. This indicates an action of moving away from the truth or the intended course. Historically, the word has been associated with legal contexts, where it described a person who would mislead or misrepresent facts. Over time, its usage expanded into general language to refer to anyone who is habitually deceptive or evasive in their communication, emphasizing a lack of honesty or straightforwardness.