Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

temporize

verb

/ˈtɛmpəraɪz/

Definition

To delay or procrastinate in order to gain time, often until a favorable opportunity arises.

Examples

During negotiations, the team decided to temporize rather than rush into a decision.
Rather than address the issue directly, she chose to temporize and wait for the right moment to respond.

Meaning

Temporizing generally refers to engaging in stalling tactics, taking a non-committal approach in discussions, or postponing decisions to avoid immediate conflict or to seek better circumstances.