What does tergiversating mean?
Tergiversating is a verb that means to change one's opinion or position frequently, often in a way that is seen as insincere or opportunistic. This behavior is often associated with politicians or public figures who switch sides to gain popularity or avoid controversy. However, tergiversating can also be used to describe companies or organizations that change their policies or values to suit their interests. The word is often used to criticize those who are seen as hypocritical or insincere. In a broader sense, tergiversating can refer to any situation where someone changes their stance or position in a way that is perceived as inconsistent or insincere. The word has Latin roots, with 'tergiversare' meaning 'to turn back and forth' or 'to change sides frequently'. Tergiversating is a useful word for describing situations where someone's actions or words are seen as contradictory or insincere. It is often used in formal or informal writing, as well as in spoken language.
verbTo change one's opinion or position frequently, often in a way that is seen as insincere or opportunistic.
- To change one's opinion or position frequently, often in a way that is seen as insincere or opportunistic.
"The politician was accused of tergiversating on the issue, switching sides multiple times to appease different constituencies."
"The politician was accused of tergiversating on the issue, switching sides multiple times to appease different constituencies."
"The company's CEO was accused of tergiversating on the company's environmental policies, first saying they would reduce emissions and then later reversing their stance."
The plural form of tergiversating is used to describe situations where multiple people or entities are tergiversating.
"The company's CEO and several other executives were accused of tergiversating on the company's environmental policies."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tergiversating
The word tergiversating comes from the Latin verb 'tergiversare', which means 'to turn back and forth' or 'to change sides frequently'. This verb is derived from the Latin words 'tergum', meaning 'back', and 'versare', meaning 'to turn'. The word tergiversating has been used in English since the 17th century to describe situations where someone changes their stance or position in a way that is perceived as inconsistent or insincere.
How tergiversating is actually used
Tergiversating is often used to describe a politician or public figure who changes their stance on an issue to gain popularity or avoid controversy. It can also be used to describe a company or organization that changes its policies or values to suit its interests.