diddle

verb

ˈdi-dᵊl How to pronounce diddle (audio)
Definition of diddlenext
1
as in to delay
to move or act slowly even though the hurricane was fast approaching, federal and local politicians wasted precious time diddling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats an unscrupulous Broadway producer diddles little old ladies by persuading them to invest in a surefire flop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diddle
  1. delay
  2. cheat
  3. poke
  4. squeeze
  5. linger
  6. pluck
  7. drag
  8. screw
Verb
  • The resort delayed its opening by a few days to allow for more snowmaking, and a few intermediate runs will be open beginning tomorrow.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Julie Metea said final results are delayed because of a surge of 34,000 same-day voter registrations Tuesday.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Honestly, Trump’s attempt to cheat by pressuring states to simply disenfranchise Democrats may go down in history as one of the greatest political self-owns of all time — right behind that Ramaswamy ad.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • On the other, the black sand slopes downward into darkness, garden eels poking cautiously from burrows before instantly retreating at the slightest movement.
    — Avantika Chaturvedi, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026
  • But Miami broke through in the third quarter when Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore went to the bench after being poked in the eye, according to the NBC broadcast.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, squeezing Americans at home.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Drain collard greens and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The result is a thick haze that can linger over the capital and surrounding areas for days.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The results raised long-standing concerns over the quality of work and whether the lingering contamination could present risks to the residents.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • November is the time to play up your outerwear game, and this leopard-print coat feels like it was plucked straight from my mood board.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
  • This distinct atmosphere is especially noticeable in the second set when Cooper swaps his trap set for a balafon and Taylor reaches into his piano to pluck the strings.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • Multiple videos show agents smash her car window, drag her out and carry her face down by her arms and legs through the street while handcuffed.
    — Beret Leone, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • While the rest of Australia struggled with lockdown and tight regulations that dragged on, Queensland fared generally well, with looser rules and relatively low numbers of cases after the initial shutdowns.
    — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • David’s view The modern left is at its most powerful inside the Democratic Party after the party screws things up.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026
  • But if that’s what being an American means, many Latinos said on Tuesday, then screw assimilation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of screw
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.

Phrases Containing diddle

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Cite this Entry

“Diddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diddle. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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