1. the act of delaying or postponing action or decision in order to gain time
Usage: formal
2. the practice of adapting one’s actions or opinions to circumstances, especially for reasons of expediency
Usage: formal

Examples

• The committee’s temporization frustrated those who wanted immediate action.
• His temporization on the budget issue angered both parties.
• The CEO’s temporization allowed market conditions to improve before making the decision.
• Political temporization often occurs during election years.
• The general’s temporization gave his troops time to regroup.
• Her temporization was seen as weakness by her opponents.