1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
he spent his college years dallying, seemingly determined to acquire as little knowledge as possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
don't dally on the way to the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
she spent the summer dallying with a guy renting the neighboring beach house
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
I kept dallying at my desk until I couldn't put off doing my work any longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dally
While deleterious when recurring over the course of a lifetime, dilly-dallying can kill even quicker on a basketball court.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Arsenal need only look at title rivals Liverpool to see the dangers of dallying.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers were dallying in Scott's trade market ahead of the 2024 trade deadline before he was sent to the San Diego Padres along with reliever Bryan Hoeing for four minor league players.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
There is a decision to be made — and after two years of dilly-dallying, it can’t be delayed any longer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dally
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Arsenal need only look at title rivals Liverpool to see the dangers of dallying.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers were dallying in Scott's trade market ahead of the 2024 trade deadline before he was sent to the San Diego Padres along with reliever Bryan Hoeing for four minor league players.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
There is a decision to be made — and after two years of dilly-dallying, it can’t be delayed any longer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dally
Verb
-
Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet with so many worries lingering, even after Shi’s attempt to reassure them, confidence is as low as at any time in his nine years at the helm.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The tension lingers throughout the meal, leaving the family divided.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond briefly flirted with 5 percent this week but has risen over the past month much less than other government bonds.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Deeper Conversation People who flirt through deeper conversation are likely prioritizing emotional connections.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This is not about dragging NATO into war.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After being struck from behind, he was dragged to the ground and mauled him, with other lions joined in, per Khaosod English.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For example, students in Australia led a successful initiative to improve air quality around their schools by having parents cut down on engine idling time.—
Ana Santos Rutschman,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
-
When a motivated consumer still feels unconvinced, the market is idling in the wrong gear.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, a similar scene closely followed as the funeral procession for Kansas City, Kansas, police officer Hunter Simoncic crawled along through the highways and streets in the community Simoncic worked to keep safe.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Eby crawled across a ladder over the water to the vehicle, then crawled back with the child on his back, the video shows.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dally. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share