TEMPORIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does temporize mean? 

• TEMPORIZE (verb)
  The verb TEMPORIZE has 1 sense:

1. draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time

  Familiarity information: TEMPORIZE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TEMPORIZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they temporize    ... he / she / it temporizes   
Past simple: temporized   
Past participle: temporized   
-ing form: temporizing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

temporise; temporize

Context example:

The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote

Hypernyms (to "temporize" is one way to...):

draw out; extend; prolong; protract (lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

temporizer (someone who temporizes; someone who tries to gain time or who waits for a favorable time)

 Context examples 

"It is only a vague feeling on my part," Martin temporized. "I have no reason for it."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“It would have to storm very hard,” I temporized.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The shortness of his visit, the steadiness of his purpose in leaving them, originated in the same fettered inclination, the same inevitable necessity of temporizing with his mother.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Her strange interest in him led her to temporize.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Louis gave a spoke and temporized.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)