temporizer
One who postpones
A temporizer is someone who delays or avoids committing to a position, typically to see how circumstances develop.
The word carries a note of criticism—suggesting calculation or cowardice rather than thoughtful patience: The senator was a temporizer who never took a stand until the polls told him which way to jump.
Habitual task avoidance
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- postponementDelaying to later
- deferralAct of delaying action
- foot-draggingDeliberate slowness or resistance
dawdling · hesitation · dilly-dallying · buying time · tarrying · dragging · prolongation · adjournment
Careful, wise judgment
- warinessCautious distrust
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
watchfulness · measured response · restraint · holding back · biding time · wait-and-see · tentativeness · reserve
Ambiguous language avoiding commitment
- prevaricationMisleading speech avoiding directness
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- wafflingEvasive, indecisive speech
sidestepping · dodging · deflection · ambiguity · vagueness · indecision · avoidance · obfuscation
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
appeasement · accommodation · middle ground · bargaining · arbitration · deal-making · parley · dialogue
Prioritizing practicality over ethics
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
flexibility · trimming · wavering · vacillation · hedging · playing both sides · weathervane · time-serving
procrastination
Habitual task avoidance
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- postponementDelaying to later
- deferralAct of delaying action
foot-dragging · dawdling · hesitation · dilly-dallying · buying time · tarrying · dragging · prolongation · adjournment · pausing
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- warinessCautious distrust
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
carefulness · watchfulness · measured response · restraint · holding back · biding time · wait-and-see · tentativeness · reserve · patience
equivocation
Ambiguous language avoiding commitment
- prevaricationMisleading speech avoiding directness
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
waffling · sidestepping · dodging · deflection · ambiguity · vagueness · indecision · avoidance · obfuscation · double-talk
compromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
fence-sitting · appeasement · accommodation · middle ground · bargaining · arbitration · deal-making · parley · dialogue · peacemaking
expediency
Prioritizing practicality over ethics
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
adaptability · flexibility · trimming · wavering · vacillation · hedging · playing both sides · weathervane · time-serving · self-interest
- delayersprocrastinator, staller, dawdler, postponer, foot-dragger
- slowpokesslowpoke, slowcoach, dawdler, laggard, straggler