dillydallying 1 of 2

adjective

as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed the dillydallying congress hadn't passed any legislation, and the term was almost over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dillydallying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dillydally
1
as in delaying
to move or act slowly don't dillydally on the way to the store

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dillydallying
  1. leisurely
  2. delaying
  3. dawdling
  4. slow
  5. lingering
  6. idling
  7. dragging
  8. lounging
Adjective
  • That leisurely, labor-intensive scenario is often not possible.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Yamanaka is made for leisurely walks, a visit to the house celebrating the haiku poet Bashō—who stayed here for nine days in 1689—and quiet days in a world of green hills and rushing water.
    — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Verb
  • In that unlikely scenario, the project with LINXS could be terminated and Los Angeles World Airports, which manages LAX, would have to find a new contractor, further delaying the train’s future.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Tampa politicians will likely celebrate by delaying a vote on the Rays’ proposed new stadium by another few months.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • Indeed, Ederson has moments where he can be caught dawdling with the ball, hoping for an opening that doesn’t always arrive.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of dawdling
Adjective
  • Those include Japan’s massive debt that exceeds 200% of GDP, fiscal stimulus that’s expected to worsen the deficit, and a central bank that’s been slow to raise rates in the face of high inflation.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With two outs, Junior Caminero hit a slow roller on a 1-2 slider that third baseman Encarnacion-Strand could not field cleanly for a run-scoring infield single.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Verb
  • As the train gains elevation, dense coastal forest gradually gives way to alpine tundra, glacial lakes, rocky peaks, and, early in the season, lingering snowfields before reaching the White Pass Summit at 2,885 feet.
    — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Excitement surrounding the new season is slowly growing among the West Ham United fanbase, but there are lingering issues that remain hard to ignore.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lingering
Verb
  • Rasmussen in 1978 was idling in traffic on Connecticut’s Interstate 84 after acquiring a satellite transponder from RCA, and decided to launch a new network devoted only to sports on a single acre near the small town of Bristol.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • A couple blocks away there are at least nine police cars, parked, idling.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of idling
Verb
  • But Beaman is quick to point out that people shouldn't simply head into the woods and start dragging things out themselves.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Gaten Matarazzo is playing sort of a sexy role, where Billie’s dragging him into the bathroom.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dragging
Verb
  • With a sizable beam of 45 feet, Whisper offers ample space for both lounging and entertaining across five decks.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In an Instagram carousel posted on Saturday, May 15, the actress, 53, shared a sweet snap of herself and her lookalike daughter, 22, lounging in coordinating swimsuits.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
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.

Browse Nearby Words

dillydally
dillydallying
dilute
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Cite this Entry

“Dillydallying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dillydallying. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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