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GRE vocabulary

prevaricate

verbHigh-frequency wordMore P words

to speak or act evasively to avoid telling the truth

Word origin: From Latin praevaricari, to walk crookedly, to deviate.

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In a sentence

Prevaricate in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing prevaricate in a sentence.

When asked who was responsible, the manager began to prevaricate.

When pressed on the figures, the official prevaricated rather than admit the budget shortfall.

Synonyms
equivocateliedodgehedge
Antonyms
be honestbe direct

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Verbal · Text Completion

The novelist's late style is admired precisely for its blank: every superfluous phrase has been pared away, leaving prose of startling economy.

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Usage & nuance

Using “prevaricate” well

Prevaricate means to speak evasively to dodge the truth, a softer charge than an outright lie but still dishonest. Do not confuse it with procrastinate, to delay action.

Common questions

Questions about “prevaricate”

Prevaricate (verb) means to speak or act evasively to avoid telling the truth
Here is prevaricate used in an example sentence: "When asked who was responsible, the manager began to prevaricate." Another example: "When pressed on the figures, the official prevaricated rather than admit the budget shortfall."
Common synonyms for prevaricate include equivocate, lie, dodge, hedge.
Antonyms of prevaricate include be honest, be direct.
On the GRE, prevaricate clusters with equivocate, lie, dodge, and hedge, opposing being honest and being direct.
Yes. Prevaricate is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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