prevaricate — to speak or act in an evasive way; to avoid telling the truth

a sweating business executive shifts uncomfortably in his chair while looking away from two serious investigators across the table. He gestures vaguely with his hands while his mouth is open mid-sentence, clearly avoiding direct answers. The investigators lean forward with skeptical expressions and crossed arms, growing more frustrated. Their body language shows they recognize he's not being straightforward with them. One investigator taps a pen impatiently while papers spread across the table remain unaddressed. The executive continues to fidget and avoid eye contact as tension fills the room. someone speaking in an evasive way to avoid telling the truth