temporizing

verb

present participle of temporize
as in stalling
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporizing
  1. stalling
  2. delaying
  3. lingering
Verb
  • Similar legislation failed to pass in 2023 after stalling in a committee hearing and in 2018 after pushback from the American Civil Liberties Union.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The first round could arrive as early as tomorrow night for places along I-80, with the line of showers stalling out along I-80.
    — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of stalling
Verb
  • As first revealed by Deadline, insiders expect Brittin to confirm TV and radio network closures after delaying plans to announce the changes this week.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • According to researchers, a combination of emissions from wildfires, long-term ozone effects and climate change impacts is likely delaying progress.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • With their feelings for each other blossoming, the two go out for dinner, which is full of Rushville patrons with lingering hatred for Hal.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But even in a crowd of MAGA-hat-toting Republican voters who took a day off school and work to attend a political rally, there was some lingering skepticism about Donalds at the top of the ticket.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of lingering
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.

Browse Nearby Words

temporizes
temporizing
temps
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Cite this Entry

“Temporizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporizing. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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