1
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
I didn't shilly-shally but instead raced to the hospital as soon as I heard the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to delay
to move or act slowly
with dinner guests due in two hours, there was no time to shilly-shally in front of the TV set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the construction project was once again delayed by the bureaucratic shilly-shally of regulatory agencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shilly-shallying
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
Verb
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In normal times, leaders might hesitate to impose that kind of moral weight on employees already living through the hardships of a global crisis.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026 -
Older workers face forced plateaus as organizations hesitate to invest in workers over 50, assuming their time is limited, minds are dulling, and retirement is imminent.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His transfer to the VA psychiatric facility was delayed until December because Taras’ arrest on federal charges halted proceedings in a state court plea agreement that would have allowed him to be admitted sooner.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The game was delayed by Ridgewood’s buses arriving late due to heavy lake affect snow closer to the city, making for a long day.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Over time, this hesitation creates cognitive overload, last-minute scrambling and fewer growth opportunities for other leaders.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
According to Tuff, what causes leaders to miss these paradigm shifts is not ignorance but hesitation.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tech giants flourish or falter based on their decisions to overhaul themselves, often leaving tens of thousands of workers to pay the price.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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As the Bucks falter in the midst of this Antetokounmpo mess, Crowder took to social media to again reflect on the decision of the Bucks to dismiss Adrian Griffin in favor of Rivers midway through the 2023-24 season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Multiple royal watchers have claimed the prince has struggled to move beyond the fallout of his dramatic exit from royal life six years ago, citing professional setbacks and lingering personal tensions.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This lingering becomes the sound of a book in a new room, opening, its music carried in a wind that crosses borders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There are plenty of directions the franchise could go, but a hesitancy to commit to anything more than one-off stories.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
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Big money’s hesitancy Wall Street hasn’t jumped on board with the same fervor as the average Joe.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Humans have an ambivalent relationship with raccoons.—
Kelly Lambert,
Fortune,
16 Jan. 2026
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Neither pet nor pest Humans have an ambivalent relationship with raccoons.—
Kelly Lambert,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Davis is alleged to have dragged Rossel through a stairwell, kitchen and back exit before assaulting her in a parking garage.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Antonio was also found in the counter area, but authorities allege he had been stabbed in the kitchen area before his body was dragged to that spot.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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