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Temporizing: meaning, definitions and examples

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temporizing

 

[ ˈtɛmpəˌraɪzɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

delaying decision

Temporizing refers to the act of delaying or postponing a decision or action, often in order to gain time or to avoid making a commitment. This strategy can be utilized in various situations such as negotiations, discussions, or planning where individuals find it advantageous to defer decisions. It may involve evasive tactics or a refusal to take a definite stance on specific issues, which can be perceived as indecisiveness. In some cases, temporizing can serve as a means of assessing the situation or gathering more information before reaching a conclusion.

Synonyms

dawdling, procrastinating, pussyfooting, stalling

Examples of usage

  • The committee was temporizing while waiting for additional data to come in.
  • Rather than making a firm decision, she chose to temporize until the team came to a consensus.
  • His habit of temporizing frustrated the more decisive members of the group.

Translations

Translations of the word "temporizing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 temporização

🇮🇳 विलंब करना

🇩🇪 Zeitverschwendung

🇮🇩 menunda

🇺🇦 зволікання

🇵🇱 zwlekanie

🇯🇵 時間稼ぎ

🇫🇷 temporisation

🇪🇸 temporalización

🇹🇷 geçiktirme

🇰🇷 시간 벌기

🇸🇦 تأخير

🇨🇿 odkládání

🇸🇰 odkladanie

🇨🇳 拖延

🇸🇮 odlaganje

🇮🇸 frekar

🇰🇿 кешіктіру

🇬🇪 დაგვიანება

🇦🇿 təxirə salma

🇲🇽 temporalización

Etymology

The term 'temporizing' originates from the Latin word 'temporizare', meaning 'to take time'. This Latin root is derived from 'tempus', which translates to 'time'. The evolution of the word in English can be traced back to the 18th century where it began to harvest a political connotation, often used to describe actions taken to delay resolution in discussions or debates. Over time, 'temporizing' has come to encompass a broader range of scenarios where individuals may choose to stall or delay actionable decisions. It's frequently found in contexts where strategic delaying tactics are beneficial, particularly in negotiations or complex discussions where the outcomes are uncertain. Its use in English highlights a trait of decision-making that is seen more negatively in contexts requiring prompt resolution; however, it can also be seen as a strategic maneuver in more complex situations.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,715 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.