tergiversate
verb
ter·gi·ver·sate ˈtər-jə-vər-ˌsāt 
ˌtər-ˈji-vər-ˌsāt,
-ˈgi-;
ˌtər-jə-ˈvər-
tergiversated; tergiversating
intransitive verb
: to engage in tergiversation
tergiversator
ˈtər-jə-vər-ˌsā-tər
noun ˌtər-ˈji-vər-ˌsā-
-ˈgi-;
ˌtər-jə-ˈvər-
Synonyms
- equivocate
- fudge
- hedge
- pussyfoot
- waffle
- weasel
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
shamelessly tergiversating, the witness replied, “Well, it depends upon what your definition of ‘truth’ is”
Word History
Etymology
Latin tergiversatus, past participle of tergiversari to show reluctance, from tergum back + versare to turn, frequentative of vertere to turn — more at worth
First Known Use
1590, in the meaning defined above
tergiversates
verb
as in weasels
to avoid giving a definite answer or position shamelessly tergiversating, the witness replied, "Well, it depends upon what your definition of 'truth' is" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weasels
- hems and haws
- hedges
- shakes
- ducks
- waffles
- pussyfoots
- dodges
- equivocates
- beats about the bush
- straddles the fence
- beats around the bush
- fudges
- evades
- yo-yoes
- eludes
- skirts
- shuns
- cavils
- flip-flops
- eschews
- sidesteps
- bypasses
- circumvents
- quibbles
- shirks
- straddles