What does prevaricator mean?
A prevaricator is someone who avoids stating the truth, especially by giving indirect, evasive, or misleading answers. The word carries a formal, accusatory tone and is especially common in journalism, political discussion, and debates about official conduct. Unlike a general “liar,” a prevaricator is primarily characterized by evasion: the person may not make a simple false statement, but instead frustrates listeners by avoiding a direct response. The term derives from the Latin praevaricari, meaning to walk crookedly or deviate from a straight course, and that image of taking a crooked path neatly reflects the word’s meaning. Although it is not restricted to questions about honesty, it is often applied to politicians, public officials, witnesses, and other people whose answers are expected to be clear and truthful.
nounA person who prevaricates, especially one who evades telling the truth or answering a direct question. The term is often used in formal or critical contexts.
- A person who evades telling the truth or gives evasive answers, especially in response to a question or accusation.
"The minister's refusal to answer the question made him look like a prevaricator."
"Instead of answering the allegation, the witness continued to behave like a prevaricator."
"The article dismissed the official as a prevaricator who had concealed important information."
The plural is used when referring to multiple people who evade truthfulness or direct answers.
"Several of the witnesses were dismissed by the committee as prevaricators."
Prevaricator comes from the Latin praevaricari, meaning to walk crookedly: a person who prevaricates is, figuratively, taking a crooked path around the truth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prevaricator
The word comes through French and Latin from praevaricari, meaning to walk crookedly or go astray. In Latin, it came to refer figuratively to departing from the proper course, especially in legal and political contexts, and later developed the sense of using evasion or misleading language. English adopted the related forms prevaricate and prevarication before the agent noun prevaricator became established.
Related word forms
How prevaricator is actually used
Prevaricator is relatively formal and strongly critical. It is more common in journalism, political commentary, and legal or public discourse than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with prevaricator
An equivocator deliberately uses ambiguous or misleading language, whereas a prevaricator more generally evades the truth or a direct question.