TERGIVERSATION Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

tergiversation

noun

ˌtər-ˌji-vər-ˈsā-shən

Definition of tergiversation

as in ambiguity

deliberate evasion in speech like many politicians, he has the gift for tergiversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tergiversation

Noun

A student who learns to navigate ambiguity, make sense of evidence, and strengthen their capacity for synthesis is better prepared not only for a career, but for the demands of citizenship.

— Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026
With Drama now set, that ambiguity is being carried over to Comedy and Young Adult.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Definition of ambiguity

Noun

Theology studies programs are among the biggest to shift from professional to non-professional degrees in the shuffle, subjecting theology students to a lower student loan limit.

— Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
His goal celebration, a sideline shuffle after Jonathan David scored the first of a hat-trick against Qatar, quickly went viral, racking up millions of social media views.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

Definition of shuffle

Noun

But in terms of its actual content, the statement was pretty thin gruel, bristling with public relations-style circumlocution and vagueness.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Here, instead, she’s swayed by a dead Diana softly squeezing her hand and kindly hinting — the dead Diana is an ace at tactful circumlocution — that now is the time to show a mourning nation some emotion.

— Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023

Definition of circumlocution

Noun

The people around Trump support these equivocations because anyone who opposes Trump’s ideas in the White House will be shown the door; any Republican who speaks up in Congress will be primaried out of their seat.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Despite some equivocation after Game 3 regarding his Game 4 starter, Ducks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters Saturday that Lukáš Dostál would return to the Ducks’ net Sunday after being pulled Friday.

— Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026

Definition of equivocation

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

tergiversating

tergiversation

term

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to tergiversation

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tergiversation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tergiversation. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tergiversation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Debate and Argument Words

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year 2019

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes