temporize Definition
- 1to avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time
- 2to act evasively in order to gain time or delay a decision
Using temporize: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "temporize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He temporized and avoided giving a direct answer.
Example
The politician tried to temporize the issue by changing the subject.
Example
She was accused of temporizing instead of taking action.
temporize Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with temporize
Example
The company is trying to temporize with the union to avoid a strike.
Example
The government is temporizing on the issue of climate change.
Example
The defendant's lawyer is trying to temporize for time in order to build a stronger case.
Origins of temporize
from Old French 'temporiser', from Latin 'tempus', meaning 'time'
Summary: temporize in Brief
To 'temporize' [ˈtɛmpəraɪz] means to avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time. It is an evasive tactic used to delay a decision or action. Examples include 'He temporized and avoided giving a direct answer,' and 'The politician tried to temporize the issue by changing the subject.' Synonyms include 'procrastinate,' 'delay,' and 'postpone.'