prevaricator
/pri'værikeitə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A person who deliberately avoids telling the truth; a liar, especially one who speaks in an evasive or misleading way to conceal the truth or to avoid a direct answer.
Usage
The word "prevaricator" is a formal term used to describe someone who habitually lies or speaks evasively. It often carries a connotation of moral criticism and implies a pattern of deceitful behavior rather than a single instance of lying. It is typically used in written English, legal contexts, or formal accusations.
Examples
- The investigation revealed the witness to be a prevaricator whose testimony could not be trusted.
- He was known as a charming prevaricator, always weaving elaborate stories to hide his failures.
- In the debate, she accused her opponent of being a prevaricator who dodged every direct question.
Advanced Usage
- Legal/Formal Context: The term is often used in formal settings to characterize dishonest testimony or statements.
- The judge warned the prevaricator about the penalties for perjury.
- Literary/Historical Context: It can be used for stylistic effect to describe a deceitful character with a sense of gravity.
- The chronicler described the deposed minister as a notorious prevaricator.
Variants and Related Words
- Prevaricate (verb): To speak or act in an evasive way; to lie.
- He chose to prevaricate when asked about his involvement.
- Prevarication (noun): The act of lying or avoiding the truth.
- His answer was a masterful piece of prevarication.
Synonyms
- Liar: A more common and direct synonym for someone who tells lies.
- Fabricator: Someone who invents or concocts false information.
- Deceiver: A person who misleads or tricks others.
- Equivocator: Someone who uses ambiguous language to conceal the truth (a very close synonym).
Antonyms
- Truth-teller
- Honest person
- Straight shooter (idiomatic)
Noun
- a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly