1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
Grandma usually gets in a dither if I don't make my weekly call
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in butterflies
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
we were all in a dither while we waited for the test results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
we dithered all afternoon over whether to go to the park or to the movies and ended up doing neither
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dither
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
Hamlet, famously, vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father—but then he dithers, delays, and generally goes crazy, only killing Claudius at the very end of Shakespeare’s longest play.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Verb
This dithering isn’t helping anyone.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
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Residents rushed out of homes and buildings in panic, the Associated Press reported.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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Some critics and analysts warn that the president removing the chair of the Federal Reserve, which has traditionally operated with independence from the government, would cause panic in the markets.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Understanding why companies hesitate, and knowing how to work around it, gives you an edge.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Tickets are going fast for this panel, so don’t hesitate to secure your spot.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Top it off with the Eero Pro 6E mesh system at $150 off, so your home gets smooth, smart Wi-Fi that works without the fuss.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
-
The filling is a hypoallergenic down alternative for those who love the softness of natural feathers without the fuss.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Not every survivor has faltered in their vision for peace.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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Without demand from clean energy, the U.S. market for rare earth, graphite, and lithium will falter.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Noun
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After Beyoncé released her birth certificate in her Cowboy Carter Tour book, according to screenshots from fans, new information has come to light about her birth chart which has fans in a tizzy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Washington is in a tizzy over Donald Trump's sweeping assertions of executive power, often at the behest of Elon Musk, an influential private citizen who decidedly lacks public office.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The mesh back won’t trap heat or sweat (unlike a typical ball cap).—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
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Makeup patted him down—he’d worked up a coat of sweat during the setup—and powdered him up; the costumer threw his shirt on him.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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