Definition

Noun: 1. The act of lying in a trivial or petty manner; being deliberately evasive or unclear: Paltering refers to the use of misleading statements, half-truths, or equivocation to deceive or avoid giving a direct answer, often concerning a minor matter.

Usage

Paltering is used to describe a specific, often subtle, form of dishonesty. It is not a bold-faced lie but rather a deliberate attempt to mislead by being ambiguous, withholding key information, or technically telling a partial truth while creating a false impression. It is frequently discussed in contexts of negotiation, politics, or everyday situations where someone avoids commitment or full disclosure.

Examples

• The politician was accused of paltering when he gave a lengthy answer that avoided the yes-or-no question entirely.
• Her excuse was a clear case of paltering; she said she was "unavailable," which was technically true because she was busy, but she omitted that she simply didn't want to attend.
• In the contract negotiations, paltering about the delivery timelines almost caused the deal to fall apart.

Advanced Usage

• As a gerund (-ing form): The word often functions as a gerund, describing the action itself.
  • "His paltering made it impossible to trust his testimony."
• Conceptual use: It can be used more abstractly to label a behavior or strategy.
  • "The art of paltering is often employed by skilled diplomats."

Variants and Related Words

• Palter (verb): To equivocate or trifle with the truth.
  • "Do not palter with me; give me a straight answer."

Synonyms

• Equivocation
• Prevarication
• Evasiveness
• Doublespeak
• Caviling (in the sense of raising petty objections)

Antonyms

• Frankness
• Candor
• Directness
• Forthrightness

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To beat around the bush: To avoid addressing a topic directly (similar in evasiveness, but not necessarily implying dishonesty).
• To be economical with the truth: A euphemistic idiom very closely related to paltering, meaning to deliberately omit important facts.

Noun

1. a trivial act of lying or being deliberately unclear