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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Congress is currently on recess until April 13, stalling further action to reopen the government.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026 -
Checkpoints dotted the highway and at one point, his paperwork was rejected, stalling his progress.—
Salma Arafa,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Are clients delaying decisions on big investments?—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Others called it a performative move that contrasts with the EPA’s recent regulatory actions, including a rollback of mercury emissions standards, rescinding drinking water limits for certain PFAS and delaying Biden-era restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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The children are now in the fourth grade, but Thompson believes their friend’s death has had a lingering impact on their lives.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Temporizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporizing. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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