temporizing

Temporizing, or temporisation in British spelling, is the act of delaying or postponing a decision, action, or commitment, often to gain time for information, assessment, or to avoid making a rash choice. The term derives from Latin tempus, meaning time, and entered English via French and Latin roots.

In diplomacy and politics, temporizing is a common tactic to avoid taking a firm stand while negotiations continue or conditions evolve. In business and legal settings, parties may request additional time to review terms, gather data, or align stakeholders, effectively keeping options open. In rhetoric, temporizing may involve hedging language or delaying commitments by proposing further study or monitoring; in military contexts, it might describe delaying operations until strategic advantages emerge.

Benefits of temporizing include flexibility and reduced risk from premature moves. Drawbacks include perceptions of evasiveness or unreliability and potential erosion of trust if overused. In practice, the appropriateness of temporizing depends on context, urgency, and stakes; timely decisions are still required in many situations. Related concepts include hedging, stalling, deferment, and procrastination, though temporizing is often framed as a deliberate, strategic delay rather than mere idleness.