prævaricate

Verb

prevaricate (third-person singular simple present prevaricates, present participle prevaricating, simple past and past participle prevaricated)

1. (intransitive, obsolete, transitive) To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).
2. (intransitive) To speak or act in a manner that is intentionally ambiguous or evasive; equivocate.
   • The people saw the politician prevaricate every day.

   Synonyms:

   equivocate, waffle, evade

   Antonyms:

   direct

3. (intransitive) To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
4. (UK) To undertake something falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.