hedge
/hɛdʒ/
verb
- To avoid making a definite statement or commitment.
- When asked about his plans, he hedged and changed the subject.
- Don't hedge; just tell me if you agree or disagree.
- She hedged her answer by saying she needed more time to decide.
- To protect yourself against financial loss by making counterbalancing investments or contracts.
- Many farmers hedge their crops by selling contracts before harvest.
- He hedged his portfolio with options to reduce risk.
- The company hedged against currency fluctuations by buying futures.
- To surround or enclose with a hedge.
- They hedged the garden to keep the deer out.
- The old farmhouse was hedged by tall bushes.
- We need to hedge the yard before the new plants arrive.
Antonyms
noun
- A fence or boundary formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes.
- Birds often build nests in the thick hedge along the lane.
- The garden was surrounded by a tall hedge of evergreens.
- She trimmed the hedge to keep it neat and even.
- A way of protecting yourself against financial loss, for example by making two opposite investments at the same time.
- The farmer bought crop insurance as a hedge against a bad harvest.
- Investors often use gold as a hedge against inflation.
- Buying both stocks and bonds can be a good hedge in a volatile market.
- A statement that is not direct or definite, meant to avoid commitment or risk.
- His answer was full of hedges, so no one knew his real opinion.
- Politicians often use hedges like 'it depends' to avoid giving a clear answer.
- She spoke with a hedge, saying 'possibly' instead of 'yes'.
Synonyms