Which word means to speak or act in an evasive way?

The term that best fits the description of speaking or acting in an evasive manner is "prevaricate." This word specifically refers to the act of avoiding straightforwardness in communication, often by being vague or misleading. It implies an element of dishonesty or deliberate evasion when discussing a topic, suggesting that the speaker may be trying to avoid answering a question directly or is being less than truthful.

In contrast, "articulate" means to express thoughts clearly and effectively, which is the opposite of being evasive. "Assert" indicates a strong, confident declaration or statement, and "communicate" refers broadly to the act of sharing information or ideas, without any implication of evasiveness. Therefore, "prevaricate" is the most appropriate choice for this specific definition.