verb
- to change repeatedly one’s attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate
Usage: formal; literary
Examples
- The politician tergiversated on the issue throughout the campaign.
- She accused him of having tergiversated when confronted with difficult questions.
- The witness tergiversated during cross-examination, contradicting his earlier testimony.
- Rather than take a clear stance, the committee tergiversated for months.
- His tendency to tergiversate made it difficult to trust his commitments.
- The diplomat was criticized for having tergiversated during the negotiations.