Synonym Chooser

How does the verb palter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of palter are equivocate, fib, lie, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

When is equivocate a more appropriate choice than palter?

While the synonyms equivocate and palter are close in meaning, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is it sensible to use fib instead of palter?

The words fib and palter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When can lie be used instead of palter?

Although the words lie and palter have much in common, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of palter?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of palter Rather than wait to share the witches’ paltering pronouncements with Lady M (Indira Varma) in person, the thane of Glamis chooses to send word to his wife in advance of his return from battle. Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palter
Verb
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    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Right now, retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart have kicked off their Cyber Week deals ridiculously early, discounting everything from modular couches to dining room chairs.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Additionally, 415 hospitals didn't include all payer and plan names in their files, and 231 hospitals didn't post accurate minimum and maximum negotiated charges for items and services.
    Maya Goldman, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • In the coming world, machine intelligences navigating conflict and negotiating peace might help clarify, or even surmount, traditional dilemmas.
    Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The employers’ association and the union have been bargaining for more than 18 months to renew their collective agreement that expired in March 2023.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The school, meanwhile, has declined to bargain with its player-employees.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • Vaping remains mired in controversy in the U.S., as e-cigarette companies and federal regulators continue to haggle over the products’ health effects and marketing guardrails.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
  • But the 49ers are probably past the point of haggling over every dollar.
    Tim Kawakami, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near palter

Cite this Entry

“Palter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palter. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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