| 释义 |
View usage for: tergiversate in British English (ˈtɜːdʒɪvəˌseɪt) verb (intransitive)1. to change sides or loyalties; apostatize 2. to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate Derived forms tergiversation (ˌtergiverˈsation) noun tergiversator (ˈtergiverˌsator) or tergiversant (ˈtɜːdʒɪˌvɜːsənt) noun tergiversatory (ˌtergiˈversatory) adjective Word origin C17: from Latin tergiversārī to turn one's back, from tergum back + vertere to turn tergiversate in American English (ˈtɜrdʒɪvərˌseɪt) verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈtergiverˌsated or ˈtergiverˌsating1. to desert a cause, party, etc.; become a renegade; apostatize 2. to use evasions or subterfuge; equivocate Derived forms tergiversation (ˌtergiverˈsation) noun tergiversator (ˈtergiverˌsator) noun Word origin < L tergiversatus, pp. of tergiversari, to turn one's back, decline, shift < tergum, the back (see tergum) + versari, to turn: see verse Synonyms of 'tergiversate'prevaricate, fence, hedge, dodge change sides, desert, defect, renege More Synonyms of tergiversate Definition to be evasive or ambiguous Definition to change sides or loyalties Synonyms change sides renege turn traitor go over to the other side apostatize Additional synonymsI blew hot and cold as I weighed up the pros and cons. Synonyms dither, vacillate, hesitate, waver, be unsure, be undecided, hum and haw (British, informal), shilly-shally, swither (Scottish, dialect) Definition to desert one's country or cause to join the opposing forces She insisted that customers who had defected to cheaper coffee shops would return eventually. Synonyms desert, rebel, quit, revolt, change sides, apostatize, tergiversateDefinition to leave (a post or duty) with no intention of returning He deserted from the army last month. Synonyms abscond, flee, defect, decamp, go AWOL (informal), go absent without leave, go over the hill (slang), take French leave Nearby words oftergiversate - tenuous
- tenure
- tepid
- tergiversate
- term
- terminal
- terminate
Additional synonymsDefinition to evade by cleverness or trickery He has repeatedly dodged the question. Synonyms avoid, hedge, parry, get out of, shun, evade, sidestep, circumvent (formal), shirk, fend off 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), tergiversateDefinition to argue cleverly but evasively Synonyms evade, shift, hedge, dodge, parry, stonewall, flannel (British, informal), quibble, prevaricate, beat about the bush, cavil, equivocate, tergiversateDefinition to avoid making a decision by making noncommittal statements When asked about his involvement, he hedged. Synonyms prevaricate, evade, sidestep, duck (informal), dodge, flannel (British, informal), waffle (informal, British), quibble, beg the question, pussyfoot (informal), equivocate, temporize, be noncommittal Definition to avoid committing oneself Stop pussyfooting around and say what you really mean! Synonyms hedge, sit on the fence, prevaricate, beat about the bush, flannel (British, informal), equivocate, be noncommittal, hum and haw, tergiversateDefinition to keep changing one's mind or opinions about something She is vacillating over whether or not to marry him. Synonyms waver, hesitate, dither (British), haver, sway, falter, be doubtful, fluctuate, be uncertain, be unsure, teeter, oscillate, be undecided, chop and change, seesaw, blow hot and cold (informal), temporize, hum and haw, be unable to decide, keep changing your mind, shillyshally (informal), be irresolute or indecisive, swither (Scottish), be unable to make up your mind (British), dillydally |