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
-
However, small businesses hesitate to seize the opportunity due to factors like limited finances, technical deficits, and lack of expertise.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
26 June 2025 -
If the emotional impact of hair loss feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for support.—
Health,
Health,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Medical examiners ruled two other deaths in January and February to be from natural causes, but a Miami Herald investigation found evidence of substandard or delayed medical care.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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Because of this, vulnerabilities showed up late, coding had to be frozen during emergencies, and repairs became expensive, all of which delayed releases and made customers unhappy.—
Sai Sandeep Ogety,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
And then, if the team falters, dumping before the Aug. 31 deadline for players to be eligible for postseason rosters?—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Even high-performing teams can falter under the burden of shifting priorities and misaligned goals.—
Rahul Karan Sharma,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Each time a child left, the emotional toll was unbearable, and the sadness lingered long after they were gone.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
However, there are lingering threats of electronic interference that can impact a ship’s navigation systems with high levels reported during dark periods, JMIC says.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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One of Willy’s favorite things to do to his characters was to leave them in a conflicted, confused, ambivalent moral impasse about race.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
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Though there was much scrutiny in the beginning, Ward added that the network was ambivalent toward the show.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Progress with Canada has been a roller coaster, with the U.S. president poking at the nation’s northern neighbor and repeatedly suggesting it would be absorbed as a U.S. state.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
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Johnson immediately returned to social media Wednesday night to post a series of rambling videos discussing his arrest and seemingly poking at Rogan without addressing him directly.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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