1
as in delays
to move or act slowly
if you continue to dawdle, we'll be late for sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lazes
to spend time doing nothing
accused the city council of dawdling even as the crime rate was spiraling out of control
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 dawdles
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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawdles
Verb
-
The wait can leave workers wondering what’s fair and what’s legal when an employer delays payment.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
-
John Malkovich shows up for a tangent that is meant to be expositional, but really only needlessly delays what’s coming.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, a dash of cranberry bitters snaps everything into focus, leaving a tart, ruby-toned finish that lingers just long enough to invite another sip.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Yet Harris lingers near the top of the 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in most polling because the party lacks viable alternatives with comparable name identification.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Need to know Nvidia probe drags on.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Cole Palmer intelligently pulls wide and drags Jones with him, leaving a notable distance between Jones and Gravenberch in the middle.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Also, closing your mouth a bit relaxes your jaw muscles and gives you more space back there.—
Elizabeth Cohen,
NBC news,
24 Aug. 2025
-
But the new guidance relaxes those limits.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the footage, the dog hilariously crawls under the blanket, which had slipped down the side of his crate, and ends up pulling it completely off.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Dead Bug Ab-cross crawls support overall ab strength.—
Health Editorial Team,
Health,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Dell’s downward-firing speakers, positioned underneath each side of the chassis, project decent sound quality if the laptop rests on a solid surface, not your lap.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Key Growth Drivers The narrative rests on several key factors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.—
Emlyn Travis Updated,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Into this space strolls Hai (Piseth Chhun).—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Regina King strolls into Joanne Hendricks Cookbooks on the hunt for classic hors d’oeuvres recipes.—
Elizabeth Wellington,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dawdles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawdles. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share