Synonym Chooser

How does the verb palter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of palter are equivocate, fib, lie, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

When is equivocate a more appropriate choice than palter?

While the synonyms equivocate and palter are close in meaning, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is it sensible to use fib instead of palter?

The words fib and palter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When can lie be used instead of palter?

Although the words lie and palter have much in common, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of palter?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of palter Rather than wait to share the witches’ paltering pronouncements with Lady M (Indira Varma) in person, the thane of Glamis chooses to send word to his wife in advance of his return from battle. Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palter
Verb
  • There’s no shortage of Amazon deals on skincare, makeup, and beauty tools right now.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • By dealing directly with the club, Arsenal will avoid having to pay the entire €60m in one go.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump signed an executive order on Monday encouraging linking the cost of prescription drugs to what's paid in other nations where drug prices are negotiated by their government and tend to be much lower.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • But the next phase of Trump’s agenda runs through the House, where Republicans are negotiating a budget bill extending his first-term tax cuts, now set to expire at the end of the year, while cutting social programs, including Medicaid.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • And there was a process that was specifically bargained for in this agreement.
    Laura Romero, ABC News, 6 May 2025
  • To this end, in 1954, NBA players formed the NBPA for purposes of collectively bargaining with the NBA and its clubs.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • The budget proposal now heads to the City Council, which is expected to haggle over amendments and changes ahead of a June 30 deadline for passage.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
  • Instead, any haggling between Trump and other states will shape an emerging economic system defined by protectionism, tensions, and transactions.
    Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Palter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palter. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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