TEMPORIZE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

temporize

verb

Definition of temporize

as in to delay

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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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 temporize Assad lied and temporized, the official said. — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026 This is a president who, when Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his people, did not temporize. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 5 July 2017 Otherwise, the overriding temptation will be to delay, to temporize. — Noam Cohen, WIRED, 18 July 2019 But in the aftermath of the Georgia victories, which gave their party control of the Senate, congressional Democrats were in no mood to temporize. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2021 Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization. — Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022 Even groups long noted for opposing nuclear power, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sierra Club, seem quietly ready to temporize on practical matters, such as allowing existing plants to continue as transitional energy sources. — Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporize

Verb

Trump is speaking now to a crowd filling the National Mall after being delayed by inclement weather.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Attendees were told to shelter in nearby government buildings, and the celebration was delayed by a few hours before going on as scheduled.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The severe weather threat will linger for parts of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, stretching from northern Virginia into southern New Jersey, with cities like Richmond, DC, Baltimore and Philly in the threat zone once again.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of linger

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temporary

temporize

temporized

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“Temporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporize. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of temporize

verb

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