Prevaricate vs. Procrastinate — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
To prevaricate is to avoid telling the truth or giving a direct answer, often by being evasive or ambiguous. To procrastinate means to delay or put off tasks or decisions unnecessarily.
Difference Between Prevaricate and Procrastinate
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Key Differences
Prevaricate means to deliberately be evasive or misleading in speech, usually to hide the truth or avoid an uncomfortable topic. Procrastinate, however, refers to the act of delaying tasks or decisions without good reason, often leading to missed deadlines.
Prevaricate involves choosing words carefully to deceive or obscure the truth, such as giving vague or contradictory answers. Procrastinate means delaying work or decisions intentionally due to distraction or lack of motivation.
Prevaricate is usually linked to communication and conversations, as people may lie or dodge questions. Procrastinate is more about behavior, where individuals put off actions until later, often creating anxiety or stress.
Prevaricate often carries a negative connotation, implying dishonesty or manipulation. Procrastinate is also viewed negatively, but it is often linked to psychological barriers like perfectionism or fear of failure.
Prevaricate is used to describe political or strategic evasion, while procrastinate applies to personal habits that affect productivity or task completion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Avoid telling the truth by being evasive
Delay tasks or decisions unnecessarily
Action
Evasive or misleading communication
Postponing tasks or decisions
Connotation
Dishonest, manipulative
Unproductive, avoidant
Common Context
Conversations, strategic decisions
Personal habits, productivity
Examples
Politician dodging questions
Student delaying homework
Compare with Definitions
Prevaricate
To avoid the truth by providing misleading or ambiguous answers.
She prevaricated, changing the topic instead of answering the uncomfortable question.
Procrastinate
To delay tasks or decisions despite knowing they should be done sooner.
She procrastinated writing her report until the night before the deadline.
Prevaricate
To be deliberately vague or evasive when asked a question.
The witness prevaricated when asked directly about his involvement in the scheme.
Procrastinate
To intentionally postpone actions due to distraction or lack of motivation.
They procrastinated cleaning the garage, watching TV instead.
Prevaricate
To lie or deceive through half-truths or contradictory statements.
He prevaricated during the interview, giving conflicting details about his qualifications.
Procrastinate
To unnecessarily postpone work that could be done earlier.
He procrastinated applying for the job, missing the application deadline.
Prevaricate
To strategically mislead others for personal gain.
The company spokesperson prevaricated to downplay the severity of the financial loss.
Procrastinate
To put off an activity to avoid immediate discomfort.
He procrastinated starting his diet, promising to begin next Monday.
Prevaricate
To intentionally misrepresent facts to create confusion.
The con artist prevaricated to convince people of the investment's legitimacy.
Procrastinate
To fail to take timely action due to fear of failure or perfectionism.
The artist procrastinated finishing the painting, feeling it wasn't perfect enough.
Prevaricate
Speak or act in an evasive way
He seemed to prevaricate when journalists asked pointed questions
Procrastinate
To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.
Prevaricate
To speak or write evasively.
Procrastinate
To postpone or delay needlessly.
Prevaricate
To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).
Procrastinate
(intransitive) To delay taking action; to wait until later.
He procrastinated until the last minute and had to stay up all night to finish.
Prevaricate
(intransitive) To shift or turn from direct speech or behaviour; to deviate from the truth; to evade the truth; to waffle or be (intentionally) ambiguous.
The people saw the politician prevaricate every day.
Procrastinate
(transitive) To put off; to delay (something).
Prevaricate
To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
Procrastinate
To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance.
Hopeless and helpless Ægeon wend,But to procrastinate his lifeless end.
Prevaricate
To undertake something falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Procrastinate
To delay; to be dilatory.
I procrastinate more than I did twenty years ago.
Prevaricate
To shift or turn from one side to the other, from the direct course, or from truth; to speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble; as, he prevaricates in his statement.
He prevaricates with his own understanding.
Procrastinate
Postpone doing what one should be doing;
He did not want to write the letter and procrastinated for days
Prevaricate
To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
Procrastinate
Postpone or delay needlessly;
He procrastinated the matter until it was almost too late
Prevaricate
To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Prevaricate
To evade by a quibble; to transgress; to pervert.
Prevaricate
Be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
Common Curiosities
Is procrastination harmful?
It can cause stress, missed deadlines, and reduced productivity.
Are prevaricate and procrastinate synonyms?
No, prevaricate involves misleading speech, while procrastinate means delaying tasks.
Is prevaricating always intentional?
Yes, it implies intentional evasion to mislead or avoid telling the truth.
Do people prevaricate to avoid criticism?
Yes, prevaricating can help avoid immediate scrutiny or criticism.
Can prevarication be positive in any way?
It can defuse tense situations by avoiding confrontation but is generally seen negatively.
Is procrastination always intentional?
Yes, it is a conscious choice, often driven by distraction or psychological barriers.
Is procrastination linked to personality traits?
It can be linked to traits like perfectionism or fear of failure.
Can you prevaricate without lying outright?
Yes, prevaricating often involves being evasive rather than telling a direct lie.
Is prevarication common in politics?
Yes, politicians often prevaricate to avoid difficult or controversial topics.
Can procrastination be productive sometimes?
In rare cases, delays can provide time for better ideas or strategies, but chronic procrastination is typically unproductive.
Is prevaricating a crime?
Not directly, but it can be unethical or lead to legal issues if it involves lying under oath.
Is procrastination linked to mental health issues?
It can be associated with anxiety, depression, and attention disorders.
Is procrastination related to time management skills?
Often, poor time management contributes to procrastination.
Are there strategies to overcome procrastination?
Yes, setting small goals, using timers, and rewarding progress can help improve productivity.
Can prevarication damage relationships?
Yes, evasion or dishonesty can erode trust between individuals.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
