palter

verb

ˈpȯl-tər How to pronounce palter (audio)
Definition of palternext
Enter your own sentence containing palter , and get words to replace it.
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as in to deal
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase unwilling to palter over the price of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb palter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of palter are equivocate, fib, lie, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

When is equivocate a more appropriate choice than palter?

While the synonyms equivocate and palter are close in meaning, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is it sensible to use fib instead of palter?

The words fib and palter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When can lie be used instead of palter?

Although the words lie and palter have much in common, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another, in the sense of palter?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of palter Rather than wait to share the witches’ paltering pronouncements with Lady M (Indira Varma) in person, the thane of Glamis chooses to send word to his wife in advance of his return from battle. — Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palter
  1. deal
  2. negotiate
  3. bargain
  4. haggle
Verb
  • General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President Zelenskyy, and Ukrainian leadership.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • These big tech company stocks stood there no matter what kind of shellacking the futures dealt us.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of deal
Verb
  • Leaders from both countries negotiated the ceasefire proposal announced on Tuesday.
    — Axios, Axios, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The two players have been negotiating deals with Cincinnati to keep them with the organization for years to come.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • That might have included attempts to use information about an attack to bargain with police for lesser sentences in other criminal proceedings.
    — TIME, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The move follows an unfair labor practice charge filed by the WGA East against Leftfield on Feb. 13, alleging failure to bargain in good faith.
    — Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bargain
Verb
  • In Istanbul's 560-year-old Grand Bazaar, where traders have haggled over treasures for centuries, an unlikely financial shift is taking shape.
    — Roomy Khan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Guerrero had imposed a deadline of Monday to finish up negotiations and didn’t want to haggle during the season.
    — Chris Branch, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of haggle

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Cite this Entry

“Palter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palter. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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