Synonyms of temporize

temporize

verb

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.

Related Words

• delay
• stall
• linger
• procrastinate
• dawdle
• play
• stagger
• filibuster
• drag
• tarry
• loiter
• crawl
• creep
• lag
• shuffle
• mope
• poke
• lollygag
• trifle
• shilly-shally
• idle
• diddle
• amble
• dillydally
• hang (around or out)
• fool around
• fiddle (around)
• saunter
• stroll
• putter (around)
• lounge
• dally
• decelerate
• ease
• loaf
• loll
• monkey (around)
• slow (down or up)
• potter (around)
• mess around
• plod
• inch
• lumber

Dissimilar Words

• scramble
• dart
• breeze
• run
• hurtle
• hump
• hustle
• accelerate
• gallop
• stampede
• trot
• jog
• quicken
• sprint
• catch up
• speed (up)
• overtake
• hasten
• outrun
• course
• hurry
• bowl
• rush
• outstrip
• outpace
• race
• tear
• fly
• rip
• career
• scurry
• speed
• scoot
• whisk
• whirl
• dash
• rocket
• bolt
• zip
• barrel
• fast-forward
• scud
• whiz
• hotfoot (it)

Example Sentences

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

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