The Art of Prevarication: Avoiding the Truth with Finesse
Explore the meaning and usage of the word ‘prevaricate’ – a verb that describes the act of speaking or acting evasively to avoid telling the truth. Learn about the word’s etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and common examples of its application in everyday situations.
Imagine you’re at a party, and someone asks you if you like their new haircut. You hesitate, not wanting to hurt their feelings, but also not wanting to lie outright.
So you dance around the truth, saying things like Oh, it’s certainly different or I can see you put a lot of thought into it.
Congratulations! You’ve just engaged in prevarication.
Word type: Prevaricate is a verb. It’s pronounced pre VAR i kate.
Meaning: To prevaricate means to speak or act evasively, to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question.
It’s essentially a fancy way of saying to lie by beating around the bush.
Word history: The word prevaricate comes from the Latin praevaricari, which means to walk crookedly, straddle, or deviate.
It’s composed of prae, meaning before, and varicare, to straddle. This etymology paints a vivid picture of someone trying to walk a crooked line between truth and falsehood.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for prevaricate include equivocate, evade, hedge, and dissemble. These words all involve being indirect or unclear in speech or action, often to avoid commitment or hide the truth.
Antonyms: Antonyms of prevaricate include speak frankly, be straightforward, and tell the truth. These opposites emphasize direct, honest communication.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples. The politician prevaricated when asked about the controversial bill, never giving a clear yes or no answer.
When confronted about his tardiness, Tom prevaricated, offering a series of vague excuses rather than admitting he had simply overslept.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing prevaricate with procrastinate. While both involve avoiding something, procrastinate means to delay or postpone action, while prevaricate refers specifically to avoiding the truth in speech.
Another error is using prevaricate when a simpler word like lie would suffice. Remember, prevarication implies a more subtle, evasive form of dishonesty.
Understanding and being able to use words like prevaricate can significantly boost your performance on the GRE verbal section.
It’s not just about expanding your vocabulary, but also about grasping the nuances between similar words.
So next time you’re tempted to skirt around the truth, remember: you’re not just avoiding the question, you’re prevaricating.
