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
Verb
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Other work from Kossin, a former scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who teaches at the University of Wisconsin, stands out for showing a trend toward slower-moving or even stalling North Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes at or near landfall.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025 -
This story is from Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action.—
Ames Alexander,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Weddings are expensive, after all, and delaying the big honeymoon trip can help ease the blow by spreading out the cost.—
Jim Augerinos,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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For many, that means skipping checkups, delaying prescriptions, or deciding which bill not to pay.—
Linda Goler Blount,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Place pheromone traps around your closet to capture any lingering moths.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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The moon is glimmering, the veil between worlds is thin and there’s an air of mischief lingering in the shadows.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Temporizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporizing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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