Tergiversator - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A tergiversator is someone who repeatedly changes their opinions, loyalties, or principles to avoid commitment or deceive others. It often implies evasion or dishonesty in avoiding a clear stance.
Definition:
A person who repeatedly changes their opinions or loyalties, especially for personal gain.
Synonyms:
turncoat, renegade, defector, apostate
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
loyalist, steadfast, adherent
Common Collocations:
political tergiversator, notorious tergiversator, accused of being a tergiversator
Derivatives:
tergiversate, tergiversation
Usage Tips:
Use "tergiversator" to describe someone who shifts allegiances frequently and untrustworthily.
Common Phrases:
political tergiversator, master tergiversator, chronic tergiversator
Etymology:
From Latin *tergiversari* ("to turn one's back"), from *tergum* ("back") + *versare* ("to turn").
Examples:
- 1. The politician was labeled a tergiversator after switching parties twice in a year.
- 2. She grew tired of his reputation as a tergiversator and ended their partnership.
- 3. The journalist exposed the CEO as a tergiversator who abandoned his principles for profit.
- 4. History remembers him as a tergiversator who betrayed his allies during the crisis.