DIDDLING Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

diddling

verb

present participle of diddle

as in delaying

to move or act slowly even though the hurricane was fast approaching, federal and local politicians wasted precious time diddling

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as in cheating

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diddling

Verb

Californians have kept our end of that bargain, but insurance companies have broken their side of the promise by denying, delaying and underpaying valid claims and dropping coverage.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The tool has been blamed by doctors and patients for delaying necessary care.

— Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of delaying

Verb

But with just a step to her other side or a shake of her head on stage, the near-auburn shade moves to the forefront, with dimensional pieces of golden blonde poking through.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2026
The smallest of the dogs, a fluffy little white-and-gray thing, is poking out of a red box on the dog keeper’s lap.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of poking

Verb

For an octopus, squeezing into tight spaces can provide an escape route and access to prey that other marine creatures cannot easily reach.

— Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
Much of the growing opposition to data centers has come from rising electricity prices, which are squeezing Americans in a time of already high prices and cost of living.

— Shannon Osaka, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
After years of dragging friends through intense physical activities—zip-lining, gymnastics, pole, and even aerial skills—a game show felt like a lighter option, something everyone could enjoy.

— Chanté Joseph, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of dragging

Verb

According to a case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the doctors gave the man a topical treatment to numb his eyes and then began plucking out the worms one by one with fine forceps.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026
Pai Skincare Bright Now Exfoliating Toner, $49 Organic is not as simple as plucking some flowers and putting them on your face.

— Brianna Peters, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of plucking

Verb

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
An upper-level low moving overhead could produce a few lingering showers north of I-78, especially in the Poconos and far northern New Jersey, but Philadelphia and most of South Jersey should stay dry.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

That urgency has marked Holden’s prolific output—especially the thrilling first installment of his Supreme Magnetic series in 2025 and 2022’s Joe Frog—as the Harlem rapper uses his street-hustling past to paint an autobiographical portrait.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
The 30-second teaser sees Jackson hustling around town, making money and recruiting his team of crooks.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hustling

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.

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“Diddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diddling. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of diddling

verb

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