dillydally

verb

ˈdi-lē-ˌda-lē How to pronounce dillydally (audio)
Definition of dillydallynext
1
as in to delay
to move or act slowly don't dillydally on the way to the store

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing restaurant employees who, during the slow periods, would rather be doing something instead of just dillydallying

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 dillydally There was the tapping of the top of the bat to his toes, scribbling in the dirt, adjusting his gloves and swiping his shoulder, among other displays of dillydallying. — Anna Brand, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023 Bathroom breaks and other excuses for dillydallying give your heart rate a chance to return to normal. — Elizabeth Narins, Cosmopolitan, 22 May 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dillydally
  1. delay
  2. dawdle
  3. linger
  4. bum
  5. drag
  6. idle
  7. poke
  8. relax
Verb
  • Trump is speaking now to a crowd filling the National Mall after being delayed by inclement weather.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Attendees were told to shelter in nearby government buildings, and the celebration was delayed by a few hours before going on as scheduled.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • But, lucky for anyone who dawdled, many of the deals are still active.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 June 2026
  • No time to dawdle while finding your credit score!
    — Clio Chang, Curbed, 17 June 2026
Definition of dawdle
Verb
  • FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The severe weather threat will linger for parts of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, stretching from northern Virginia into southern New Jersey, with cities like Richmond, DC, Baltimore and Philly in the threat zone once again.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Great, for once the Leafs won’t bum me out!
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Yet with these new songs out in the world, the three musicians don’t seem particularly bummed not to have their old ones in ready circulation.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of bum
Verb
  • On Tuesday, the roller-coaster ride for AI stocks whipped back down, dragging Wall Street lower.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • With the process dragging on for months, the split of drama and comedy into separate departments, with Smith as head of the former, emerged as a likely scenario by mid-May.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • At the same time, the sounds of idling diesel work truck engines have replaced that of dozens of fire trucks that had been stationed there for days.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The second album this year from metalcore pioneers Converge is named for a mysterious, pulsing, low-frequency ambient drone, likened by those who hear it to a diesel engine, an idling airplane, or a kind of inescapable torture.
    — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026
Definition of idle
Verb
  • The surgeons used forceps to grab at a loop that was poking into view and then needed multiple tugs to gently slide out the rest.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Social media video showed snakes poking their heads above the muddy water inundating the village.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • From adults-only pools to tranquil spas, these luxury resorts offer relaxing escapes tailored to travelers over 50.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Cable and telecom lobby groups submitted comments supporting the FCC plan to eliminate or relax various requirements.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of relax

Browse Nearby Words

dillydallies
dillydally
dillydallying
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Cite this Entry

“Dillydally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dillydally. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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