Which word means to avoid commitment or to hedge?

Which word means to avoid commitment or to hedge?

• A. Dodge
• B. Hedge
• C. Evade
• D. Postpone

Answer: (B)

Hedge is the best fit because it captures the idea of avoiding a firm commitment by keeping options open or by qualifying what you say. When you hedge, you speak cautiously, adding conditions or reservations so you’re not tying yourself to a definite outcome. A common sense of the word is in the phrase “to hedge one’s bets,” meaning to guard against risk by not committing to one course of action. Dodge and evade both mean to avoid something or someone, but they emphasize escaping or dodging rather than keeping options open or softening a statement. Postpone means to delay action or decision, which shifts timing rather than hedging the commitment itself.

Hedge is the best fit because it captures the idea of avoiding a firm commitment by keeping options open or by qualifying what you say. When you hedge, you speak cautiously, adding conditions or reservations so you’re not tying yourself to a definite outcome. A common sense of the word is in the phrase “to hedge one’s bets,” meaning to guard against risk by not committing to one course of action.

Dodge and evade both mean to avoid something or someone, but they emphasize escaping or dodging rather than keeping options open or softening a statement. Postpone means to delay action or decision, which shifts timing rather than hedging the commitment itself.