as in to delay
formal
to avoid making a decision or giving a definite answer in order to have more time
Pressured by voters on both sides of the issue, the congressmen temporized.
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Recent Examples of temporize
Assad lied and temporized, the official said.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022
But in the aftermath of the Georgia victories, which gave their party control of the Senate, congressional Democrats were in no mood to temporize.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2021
Otherwise, the overriding temptation will be to delay, to temporize.
—Noam Cohen, WIRED, 18 July 2019
This is a president who, when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his people, did not temporize.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 5 July 2017
Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022
But in the aftermath of the Georgia victories, which gave their party control of the Senate, congressional Democrats were in no mood to temporize.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2021
Otherwise, the overriding temptation will be to delay, to temporize.
—Noam Cohen, WIRED, 18 July 2019
This is a president who, when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his people, did not temporize.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 5 July 2017
Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporize
Verb
-
The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The upcoming feature, which will allow users to generate adult content using the chatbot for the first time, has been delayed.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unable to raise budgets as fast as populations, some cities slowed or stalled new development, rather than depress services to existing taxpayers.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The process would open up a new chance at freedom in a state where clemency is granted in just a fraction of cases and other post-conviction relief, like the state’s Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults program, or JYACAP, is limited or stalled, Meyer said.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is a day for speaking plainly and clearing up lingering misunderstandings.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Showers may linger through the mid-morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporize. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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