dither

¹dith·er

verb \ˈdi-thər\

dith·ereddith·er·ing\-th(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of DITHER

intransitive verb

1

: shiver, tremble

2

: to act nervously or indecisively : vacillate

— dith·er·er \-thər-ər\ noun

Examples of DITHER

1. We don't have time to dither.
2. She did not dither about what to do next.

Origin of DITHER

Middle English didderen

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DITHER

Synonyms: balance, hesitate, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

Antonyms: dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words: haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms: decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

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Rhymes with DITHER

blither, cither, hither, slither, swither, thither, whither, wither, zither