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
  • Oil tankers are now reluctant to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, stalling supplies as a result.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 July 2026
  • Nobody is publicly discussing details about those issues, possibly because a few previous public-private development projects in Connecticut ended up in court after stalling.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
Definition of stalling
Verb
  • In May, the agency proposed delaying emission standards set to kick in for new light- and medium-duty cars and trucks starting with model year 2027.
    — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 July 2026
  • But, for older men with no pain or discomfort, doctors may suggest watchful waiting, delaying surgery until the need is clear.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • This season, our editors are savoring the activities that take us back to some of our favorite childhood days—jumping off docks, sliding down twisty pool slides, and lingering outside long into the evening.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • Any strange or lingering foot symptoms, though, could be a sign of a bigger health condition.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 3 July 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.

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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 12 Jul. 2026.

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