Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense temporizes, present participle temporizing, past tense, past participle temporizedregional note: in BRIT, also use temporise
verb
If you say that someone is temporizing, you mean that they keep doing unimportant things in order to delay something important such as making a decision or stating their real opinion.
[formal]
They are still temporizing in the face of what can only be described as a disaster. [VERB]
'Not exactly, sir,' temporized Sloan. [VERB with quote]
Synonyms: play for time, delay, stall, procrastinate More Synonyms of temporize
temporize in British English
or temporise (ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz)
verb(intransitive)
1.
to delay, act evasively, or protract a discussion, negotiation, etc, esp in order to gain time or effect a compromise
2.
to adapt oneself to the circumstances or occasion, as by temporary or apparent agreement
Derived forms
temporization (ˌtemporiˈzation) or temporisation (ˌtemporiˈsation)
noun
temporizer (ˈtempoˌrizer) or temporiser (ˈtempoˌriser)
noun
Word origin
C16: from French temporiser, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, from Latin tempus time
temporize in American English
(ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈtempoˌrized or ˈtempoˌrizing
1.
to suit one's actions to the time, occasion, or circumstances, without reference to principle
2.
a.
to give temporary compliance or agreement, evade immediate decision, etc., so as to gain time or avoid argument
b.
to parley or deal (with a person, etc.) so as to gain time
3.
to effect a compromise (with a person, etc., or between persons or parties); negotiate
Derived forms
temporization (ˌtemporiˈzation)
noun
temporizer (ˈtempoˌrizer)
noun
Word origin
Fr temporiser < ML temporizare < L tempus, time: see temper
Examples of 'temporize' in a sentence
temporize
At the present time, no action was needed, and it was pleasant to procrastinate, to temporize without feeling guilty about it.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS
(verb)
Definition
to delay, act evasively, or protract a negotiation in order to gain time or avoid making a decision
`Not exactly, sir,' he temporized.
Synonyms
play for time
delay
I delayed my departure until she could join me.
stall
Tomas had spent all week stalling over a decision.
procrastinate
We often procrastinate when faced with something we do not want to do.
be evasive
beat about the bush
gain time
I hoped to gain time by keeping him talking.
equivocate
He is equivocating a lot about what is going to happen at the next election.
play a waiting game
hum and haw
tergiversate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of delay
Definition
to put (something) off to a later time
I delayed my departure until she could join me.
Synonyms
put off,
suspend,
postpone,
stall,
shelve,
prolong,
defer,
hold over,
temporize,
put on the back burner (informal),
protract,
take a rain check on (US, Canadian, informal)
in the sense of equivocate
Definition
to use vague or ambiguous language in order to deceive someone or to avoid telling the truth
He is equivocating a lot about what is going to happen at the next election.
Synonyms
be evasive,
evade,
dodge,
parry,
fence,
hedge,
shuffle,
fudge,
flannel (British, informal),
sidestep,
waffle (informal, British),
quibble,
prevaricate,
pussyfoot (informal),
avoid the issue,
beat about the bush (informal),
tergiversate
in the sense of gain time
I hoped to gain time by keeping him talking.
Synonyms
stall,
delay,
play for time,
procrastinate,
temporize,
use delaying tactics
Nearby words of
temporize
temporal
temporarily
temporary
temporize
tempt
temptation
tempting
Synonyms of 'temporize'
temporize
Explore 'temporize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of procrastinate
Definition
to put off (an action) until later
We often procrastinate when faced with something we do not want to do.
Synonyms
delay,
stall,
postpone,
prolong,
put off,
defer,
adjourn,
retard,
dally,
play for time,
gain time,
temporize,
play a waiting game,
protract,
drag your feet (informal),
be dilatory
in the sense of stall
Definition
to employ delaying tactics towards (someone)
Tomas had spent all week stalling over a decision.