temporize
Buy more time
To temporize is to delay or stall, usually to gain time or avoid committing to a decision.
Someone who temporizes offers vague responses, changes the subject, or waits to see how events unfold before acting: The senator temporized when asked about the bill, hoping the controversy would die down.
The word often carries a negative connotation of evasiveness or weakness.
Delay action unnecessarily
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- deferDelay or submit
- postponeDelay to later time
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
dawdle · linger · tarry · dillydally · drag · adjourn · suspend · pause
Speak vaguely to mislead
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- waffleGridded breakfast cake
- vacillateWaver between choices
dodge · sidestep · fence · obfuscate · weasel · pussyfoot · noncommittal · elude
Discuss to reach agreement
- parleyDiscussion between opposing sides
- mediateFacilitate agreement between disputants
- conciliateCalm hostile feelings
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
broker · arbitrate · dialogue · intercede · reconcile · appease · placate · mollify
Exercising sound judgment
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- waryGuardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
measured · deliberate · careful · judicious · conservative · watchful · hesitant · risk-averse
Coldly self-serving in strategy
- expedientUseful if not ideal
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- strategicDeliberately planned for advantage
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
shrewd · cagey · wily · wait-and-see · time-server · fence-sitter · trimmer · changeable
procrastinate
Delay action unnecessarily
hesitate · dawdle · linger · tarry · dillydally · drag · adjourn · suspend · pause · prolong
equivocate
Speak vaguely to mislead
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- waffleGridded breakfast cake
vacillate · dodge · sidestep · fence · obfuscate · weasel · pussyfoot · noncommittal · elude · vague
negotiate
Discuss to reach agreement
- parleyDiscussion between opposing sides
- mediateFacilitate agreement between disputants
- conciliateCalm hostile feelings
compromise · broker · arbitrate · dialogue · intercede · reconcile · appease · placate · mollify · accommodate
prudent
Exercising sound judgment
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- waryGuardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
tentative · measured · deliberate · careful · judicious · conservative · watchful · hesitant · risk-averse · noncommittal
calculating
Coldly self-serving in strategy
- expedientUseful if not ideal
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- strategicDeliberately planned for advantage
cunning · shrewd · cagey · wily · wait-and-see · time-server · fence-sitter · trimmer · changeable · adaptable
temporizedecide
Reach a conclusion
commit · resolve · take a stand · make up one's mind · take the plunge
temporizehasten
To accelerate or rush
accelerate · rush · expedite · hurry · press forward
temporizing, extemporize, temporizer, extemporized, extemporizing, extemporizes