Definitions
- Describing the act of avoiding a direct answer or changing one's stance on an issue. - Referring to the act of being evasive or ambiguous in one's response. - Talking about the act of shifting one's position or opinion to avoid taking responsibility or making a decision.
- Describing the act of avoiding the truth or lying. - Referring to the act of being intentionally vague or misleading in one's response. - Talking about the act of using ambiguous language to deceive or mislead others.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe acts of avoiding the truth or being evasive.
- 2Both words involve using language to mislead or deceive.
- 3Both words can be used to describe politicians or public figures who are not forthcoming with information.
- 4Both words have negative connotations and imply dishonesty or lack of integrity.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Tergiversate focuses on changing one's stance or position, while prevaricate focuses on avoiding the truth or lying.
- 2Intent: Tergiversate implies a lack of commitment or willingness to take a stand, while prevaricate implies a deliberate attempt to deceive or mislead.
- 3Degree: Prevaricate is a stronger word than tergiversate and implies a more intentional and malicious act of deception.
- 4Usage: Tergiversate is a less common word than prevaricate and is typically used in more formal or academic contexts.
Remember this!
Tergiversate and prevaricate are synonyms that both describe acts of avoiding the truth or being evasive. However, tergiversate focuses on changing one's stance or position, while prevaricate focuses on avoiding the truth or lying. Additionally, prevaricate is a stronger word than tergiversate and implies a more intentional and malicious act of deception. While both words have negative connotations and imply dishonesty, tergiversate is less common and typically used in more formal or academic contexts.
