palter

verb

ˈpȯl-tər How to pronounce palter (audio)
Definition of palternext
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
  • While the news deals a devastating blow to Wembanyama and the team, both are likely to have a bright future ahead.
    — Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • All considered, the Heat did a sound job of retooling the roster at the trade deadline, but the team’s ceiling took an obvious hit by dealing one of the best playoff-risers in league history in Jimmy Butler.
    — James Jackson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of deal
Verb
  • Machine customers represent a specialized subset of AI agents—designed specifically to autonomously purchase goods, negotiate transactions and influence commercial decisions.
    — Tor Constantino, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Originally, no alcohol was supposed to be served there, says the tech company sales executive who commissioned the event, but Sicily Lifestyle managed to negotiate to have wine.
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • In Texas, for example, only police and firefighters can collectively bargain.
    — Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The Biden appointees to the board also announced a rule that toughened the requirement that employers bargain with unions, even without the union having to win an election.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of bargain
Verb
  • Some lawmakers expect that after an initial wave of deportations of those easiest to remove, Mr. Trump will spend the rest of his time in office haggling with Congress over money for more.
    — Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Disney bought out Comcast, finally, but the two have been haggling endlessly over the price tag.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Jan. 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 1 Mar. 2025.

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