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Definitions

beat around the bush

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elude v.
equivocate v.
hedge v.
hem and haw v.
prevaricate v.
pussyfoot v.
stall v.
weasel v.

VERB

elude

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffle confound dodge evade flee foil frustrate outrun outwit puzzle shun stall stonewall thwart

STRONG

bilk circumvent ditch double duck eschew fly shirk shuck shy stump

WEAK

be beyond someone cop out get around get away from give the runaround give the slip give wide berth to hem and haw not touch pass the buck pass up run around stay shy of steer clear of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet aid assist clarify clear up encourage enlighten explain face help meet support

WEAK

attract confront encounter entice invite take on

VERB

equivocate

Synonyms

STRONG

cavil dodge elude escape eschew evade falsify fence fib flip-flop fudge hedge jive lie palter parry prevaricate pussyfoot quibble shuck shuffle sidestep stonewall tergiversate waffle

WEAK

beg the question blow hot and cold cloud the issue cop a plea cop out cover up double-talk give the runaround hem and haw mince words pass the buck run around sit on the fence tell white lie tergiverse weasel

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest confront encounter face meet release take on tell the truth

WEAK

speak on

VERB

hedge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fudge sidestep waffle

STRONG

duck equivocate evade flip-flop jive prevaricate pussyfoot quibble shuck shuffle stall stonewall temporize tergiversate

WEAK

be noncommittal blow hot and cold cop a plea cop out give the runaround hem and haw pass the buck run around shilly-shally sit on the fence tergiverse

Antonyms

STRONG

face meet

WEAK

confront release

VERB

hem and haw

Synonyms

WEAK

back and fill beg the question dance around equivocate euphemize fudge and mudge hum and haw mince words shilly-shally tapdance

VERB

prevaricate

Synonyms

STRONG

belie cavil con distort dodge equivocate evade exaggerate fabricate falsify fib garble hedge invent jive lie misrepresent misspeak palter quibble shift shuffle tergiversate

WEAK

beg the question phony up put on

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest confront face meet order tell the truth

VERB

pussyfoot

Synonyms

STRONG

avoid creep dodge equivocate evade glide hedge lurk prevaricate prowl shuffle sidestep skirt skulk slide slink slip sneak steal tergiversate tiptoe

WEAK

be noncommittal duck the issues hem and haw play it close to the vest sit on the fence tergiverse tread warily watch one's step weasel

Antonyms

STRONG

confront face meet take on

WEAK

plod

VERB

stall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

halt hamper hinder interrupt postpone put off slow stay stop suspend

STRONG

arrest brake check die equivocate fence filibuster hedge prevaricate quibble stand still stonewall tarry temporize

WEAK

avoid the issue drag one's feet hold off not move play for time shut down slow down stand off stand still take one's time

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist carry out continue do encourage expedite forward help permit promote push

WEAK

further

VERB

weasel

Synonyms

STRONG

balk dodge duck hedge renege shuck sidestep waffle

WEAK

circumvent cop out dance around an issue elude equivocate eschew flee get around give the runaround hem and haw lay low pussyfoot put off shirk slip out sneak away tap dance worm one's way out of

Antonyms

STRONG

confront face meet

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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beat around the bush

Dabo Swinney, who will be leading Clemson against LSU on Saturday, didn’t beat around the bush.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

They weren’t the kind to beat around the bush.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

Irritated by their lack of clarity, he told an agent that had told him of Newcastle's interest: "Tell them to call me directly and not beat around the bush."

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025

After meeting President Joe Biden, he said: “We shouldn’t beat around the bush: support from the United States is indispensable for the question of whether Ukraine will be in a position to defend itself.”

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

When Lee felt that enough time had passed he did not beat around the bush.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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