Which verb means to avoid giving a direct answer or deliberately mislead by quibbling?

Which verb means to avoid giving a direct answer or deliberately mislead by quibbling?

• A. Evade
• B. Hedge
• C. Prevaricate
• D. Palter

Answer: (C)

Deliberate evasiveness in answering a question, especially by quibbling or dodging the truth, is what this concept is about. The word that fits best captures the idea of using ambiguous or misleading language on purpose to avoid giving a straight yes-or-no or to mislead through careful phrasing. When someone prevaricates, they’re not just avoiding the question—they’re twisting or sidestepping the truth with intent to mislead, often by offering vague statements rather than a clear answer. To evoke how this differs from similar actions: to evade is simply to escape the question, without necessarily weaving a misleading argument; to hedge is to qualify or hold back a decisive position, which can be cautious rather than deceitful; to palter suggests insincere or trickery in talk, but prevaricate specifically emphasizes the act of lying by implication or equivocation through deliberate, evasive language.

Deliberate evasiveness in answering a question, especially by quibbling or dodging the truth, is what this concept is about. The word that fits best captures the idea of using ambiguous or misleading language on purpose to avoid giving a straight yes-or-no or to mislead through careful phrasing. When someone prevaricates, they’re not just avoiding the question—they’re twisting or sidestepping the truth with intent to mislead, often by offering vague statements rather than a clear answer.

To evoke how this differs from similar actions: to evade is simply to escape the question, without necessarily weaving a misleading argument; to hedge is to qualify or hold back a decisive position, which can be cautious rather than deceitful; to palter suggests insincere or trickery in talk, but prevaricate specifically emphasizes the act of lying by implication or equivocation through deliberate, evasive language.