1. to talk or act insincerely; to equivocate or prevaricate
Usage: formal; somewhat archaic
2. to haggle or bargain in a petty way
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The witness began to palter when asked direct questions about the incident.
• Don’t palter with me—I need a straight answer.
• The politician was accused of paltering during the debate.
• She refused to palter over the contract terms.
• His tendency to palter made negotiations difficult.
• The merchant would palter endlessly over every penny.