temporizer

Definition of temporizernext
1
as in chameleon
a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions the kind of temporizer who determines his position on a political issue by taking a look at the polls

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in machinator
one who does things only for his own benefit and with little regard for right and wrong a lifelong temporizer, he was for the war as long as it was popular and against it the minute the tide of public opinion went the other way

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporizer
Noun
  • Many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth, among them lemurs, chameleons, and a remarkable variety of birds and reptiles.
    — Cherri Briggs, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For a chameleon, an actor who spent a lifetime resisting other people’s definitions of him, that might be the ultimate paradox.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Notre Dame men's hoops has become a bottom-feeder in the ACC under Micah Shrewsberry, with a losing record in each of his three seasons, and its best players bolted for better NIL opportunities in the spring.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Use worms fished right on the bottom to entice the subtle-striking bottom-feeders.
    — Chad Mason, Outdoor Life, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Those types of responses have riled her critics, who have portrayed her as indecisive at best, and an opportunist at worst.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Six sharks received cortisol implants dissolved in coconut oil, while six others received coconut oil alone.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Grace is in full-on shark mode, taking Kate with her to the greenhouse to fetch some basil for the negronis Todd is whipping up (basil is not actually a garnish for a negroni, but nobody is going to say that to Grace).
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Temporizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporizer. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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