Definitions
- Describing a person who changes their opinion or stance frequently and without good reason. - Referring to a politician who avoids answering questions directly or changes their position on an issue. - Talking about someone who is evasive or indecisive in their actions or words.
- Describing a variable or inconsistent pattern of change in a quantity or value over time. - Referring to a situation where something changes frequently or unpredictably. - Talking about a person's mood or emotions that vary or change frequently.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a change or variation.
- 2Both words can be used to describe a person's behavior or actions.
- 3Both words can have a negative connotation.
- 4Both words can be used in formal writing or speech.
What is the difference?
- 1Meaning: Tergiversate specifically refers to changing one's opinion or stance, while fluctuate refers to any kind of variation or change.
- 2Frequency: Tergiversate implies a frequent or habitual change, while fluctuate can be more sporadic or unpredictable.
- 3Cause: Tergiversate often implies a lack of conviction or dishonesty, while fluctuate can be caused by external factors or natural variability.
- 4Scope: Tergiversate is usually used to describe a specific person or situation, while fluctuate can be used to describe a wide range of phenomena.
- 5Formality: Tergiversate is a more formal word than fluctuate, and may be less commonly used in everyday conversation.
Remember this!
Tergiversate and fluctuate are both words that describe a change or variation. However, tergiversate specifically refers to changing one's opinion or stance frequently and without good reason, while fluctuate refers to any kind of variation or change, often caused by external factors or natural variability. Tergiversate is a more formal word and has a negative connotation, implying a lack of conviction or dishonesty, while fluctuate can be used in a wider range of contexts and may have a neutral or even positive connotation.
