How Do You Spell PREVARICATE?

Pronunciation: [pɹɪvˈaɹɪkˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "prevaricate" is spelled with a combination of two Latin roots. The prefix "pre-" means "before" or "in front," while the root "varicare" means "to wander." When pronounced, "prevaricate" is broken down into four syllables: /pri-'ver-i-kayt/ with emphasis on the second syllable. The word means to avoid or evade the truth, often by speaking in a roundabout or exaggerated way. Mastering the spelling and pronunciation of "prevaricate" is crucial for effective communication and clear writing.

PREVARICATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Prevaricate is a verb that refers to the act of deliberately and intentionally avoiding or deviating from the truth, often by providing misleading or ambiguous information during communication or conversation. It entails the use of deceptive or evasive tactics with the intention of concealing or distorting the truth.

    When someone prevaricates, they typically evade direct answers or give incomplete information to mislead or confuse others. This intentional act of prevarication is often motivated by a desire to avoid confrontation, responsibility, or negative consequences. It involves artfully using words, half-truths, or misleading statements to create a false impression or perception.

    Someone who prevaricates may exhibit various tactics such as hedging, equivocating, or sidestepping direct questions. They tend to employ vague or elusive language, making it difficult to discern the truth or their true intentions. Prevarication often requires skill in manipulating communication or employing diversionary tactics to redirect attention away from the topic or issue at hand.

    In summary, prevaricate encompasses the deliberate act of avoiding or distorting the truth through misleading statements, ambiguous language, or evasion. It involves intentionally deceiving or misleading others, which can hinder genuine communication, trust, and clarity in interpersonal interactions.

  2. To turn from side to side; to evade the truth; to quibble; to swerve from the truth.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PREVARICATE

Etymology of PREVARICATE

The word "prevaricate" derives from the Latin term "praevaricari", which is a combination of "prae" meaning "in front of" or "before", and "varicus" meaning "straddle" or "stray". In its original Latin form, "praevaricari" was used to describe the action of walking awkwardly or straddling along. Over time, the term evolved and adapted to its current meaning of intentionally deviating from or avoiding the truth, with a connotation of deceitful or evasive behavior.

Similar spelling words for PREVARICATE

Conjugate verb Prevaricate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have prevaricated
you would have prevaricated
he/she/it would have prevaricated
we would have prevaricated
they would have prevaricated
I would have prevaricate
you would have prevaricate
he/she/it would have prevaricate
we would have prevaricate
they would have prevaricate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been prevaricating
you would have been prevaricating
he/she/it would have been prevaricating
we would have been prevaricating
they would have been prevaricating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would prevaricate
you would prevaricate
he/she/it would prevaricate
we would prevaricate
they would prevaricate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be prevaricating
you would be prevaricating
he/she/it would be prevaricating
we would be prevaricating
they would be prevaricating

FUTURE

I will prevaricate
you will prevaricate
he/she/it will prevaricate
we will prevaricate
they will prevaricate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be prevaricating
you will be prevaricating
he/she/it will be prevaricating
we will be prevaricating
they will be prevaricating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have prevaricated
you will have prevaricated
he/she/it will have prevaricated
we will have prevaricated
they will have prevaricated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been prevaricating
you will have been prevaricating
he/she/it will have been prevaricating
we will have been prevaricating
they will have been prevaricating

IMPERATIVE

you prevaricate
we let´s prevaricate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to prevaricate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was prevaricating
you were prevaricating
he/she/it was prevaricating
we were prevaricating
they were prevaricating

PAST PARTICIPLE

prevaricated

PAST PERFECT

I had prevaricated
you had prevaricated
he/she/it had prevaricated
we had prevaricated
they had prevaricated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been prevaricating
you had been prevaricating
he/she/it had been prevaricating
we had been prevaricating
they had been prevaricating

PRESENT

I prevaricate
you prevaricate
he/she/it prevaricates
we prevaricate
they prevaricate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am prevaricating
you are prevaricating
he/she/it is prevaricating
we are prevaricating
they are prevaricating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

prevaricating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have prevaricated
you have prevaricated
he/she/it has prevaricated
we have prevaricated
they have prevaricated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been prevaricating
you have been prevaricating
he/she/it has been prevaricating
we have been prevaricating
they have been prevaricating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it prevaricate

SIMPLE PAST

I prevaricated
you prevaricated
he/she/it prevaricated
we prevaricated
they prevaricated

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: