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temporize

[tem-puh-rahyz] / ˈtɛm pəˌraɪz /


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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Dahlia Lithwick: There is a very human propensity, especially in times of crisis, to normalize and rationalize and temporize.

From Slate ● Dec. 17, 2025

Rab1, and Black is left to temporize as White methodically prepares his breakthrough.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 1, 2022

The universities should not temporize if that happens.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 23, 2017

Petry’s tendency to temporize may be a crucial asset, according to Hajo Funke, an expert on Germany’s far right who has just published a book, “On Angry Citizens and Arsonists,” about the AfD.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 26, 2016

Mrs. Potter did not agree with her at all, but something in the appeal, some subtle hint of the dignity of Mrs. Potter's position amongst so many virgins, caused her to temporize feebly.

From The War-Workers by E.M. Delafield

In the interim, however, this technology comes to us wrapped in some unprepossessing, temporized designs, like this fat-bellied seal in a plastic waistcoat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025

Anthony Kennedy, long the Court’s swing vote, has temporized.

From The New Yorker ● Jun. 19, 2018

But Mr. Richardson is right: She has temporized in response to atrocity.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2018

He has brooded, hedged, dodged, vacillated, hesitated, temporized, and mulled.

From Slate ● Mar. 21, 2017

“Ah just had one,” Janie temporized with her conscience.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed a key ally from his new Cabinet, bowing to a ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court after days of temporizing.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 22, 2023

US history accordingly reveals a rich tapestry of legal suits, counter suits, interstate conflicts, water theft, treaties, compacts, agreements, accords, lobbying, bullying and temporizing.

From Nature ● Feb. 21, 2017

I think that your husband’s temporizing may be a better strategy than outright refusal.

From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2015

They need to stop moralizing and deal with reality; they need to stop temporizing and, for once, get ahead of the curve.

From Washington Post ● May 18, 2012

The indecision and temporizing spirit of Georgia, for a time, was painful to her truly patriotic sons who early espoused the cause of Liberty.

From Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson




Vocabulary lists containing temporize


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