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
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Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately.
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The last time Colombia played at Miami Stadium, the 2024 Copa América final against Argentina was delayed more than 75 minutes after a security breach involving ticketless fans, with some appearing to enter through air vents.
Verb
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How these issues are handled could fuel the engine of progress on some seemingly intractable issues over the next two years, or stall it.
-
The campaign, which Zelenskyy has said aims to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Moscow’s efforts on the battlefield and heaping pressure on Putin, Western officials and analysts say.
Verb
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The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
-
Robertson answered any lingering questions about his game with his franchise-caliber play.
Cite this Entry
“Temporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporize. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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