To temporize means to delay or avoid making a decision, stating one's position, or taking action in order to gain time, evade a difficult situation, or postpone a commitment. This often involves using evasive language, delaying tactics, or shifting responsibility to others. The act suggests a strategic approach to managing a crisis or opportunity, allowing for careful consideration or the hope that the situation will resolve itself. It can also imply a lack of courage or decisiveness, prioritizing self-preservation over a firm stance. Essentially, temporizing is a way of buying time. It is often characterized by delaying a confrontation or making a commitment, hoping for a more favorable outcome.
Temporized meaning with examples
- Faced with growing public pressure, the politician temporized, issuing vague statements and promising further review, hoping the scandal would fade. This allowed the politician to buy valuable time while a crisis management team attempted to shift attention to external factors to protect their political standing. Temporizing allowed for consideration, even when the public opinion could have been changed to his favor.
- During the tense negotiations, the diplomat temporized, suggesting compromises and postponing key discussions, hoping to achieve a peaceful resolution. Temporizing in this situation kept negotiations alive with the hope of gaining the upper hand, but as well showed wisdom in not making a final stand.
- The company's CEO temporized when confronted with accusations of unethical practices, delaying a direct response while legal counsel reviewed the situation and considered options. This temporizing allowed the CEO time to consider damage control.
- When challenged on their policy, the government temporized, offering a series of reports and expert opinions to obscure the issue and avoid taking a definitive stance. This allowed the government to consider all options without having to commit. In this case, the government was temporizing to prevent division within the party.
- Instead of immediately firing the underperforming employee, the manager temporized, offering training and a probationary period to give them a chance to improve their performance and avoid a difficult decision. The manager temporized, in hopes of avoiding a tough decision or letting the employee succeed.