1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
Grandma usually gets in a dither if I don't make my weekly call
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in butterflies
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
we were all in a dither while we waited for the test results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
we dithered all afternoon over whether to go to the park or to the movies and ended up doing neither
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dither
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
To delay or dither is to play into Moscow’s hands.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
His reluctance, according to a report Thursday by the Red Sox news site BoSox Injection, could open the door for another team to beat the Red Sox to the punch and sign Guerrero while Boston dithers over the size of his contract.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
After a decade of dithering by state leaders, voters forced change last November with their landslide approval of Proposition 36, which reversed parts of Proposition 47 and made some theft and drug crimes felonies once more.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
To delay or dither is to play into Moscow’s hands.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
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The shooting occurred outside a Safeway location near Golden Gate Park, sending bystanders into panic.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Even if climate change does not trigger a full-fledged economic panic, whole regions will be thinned out and impoverished.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Maye doesn’t hesitate to break the pocket and scramble towards daylight when things break down.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Many people like the idea of innovation but hesitate to share the road with fully autonomous vehicles.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Headphone Deals For those deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem who want headphones that just work without all the fuss, the Beats Solo 4 make sense, even more so with a $70 discount.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
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And yet he’s still getting used to all the fuss.—
Julie Jordan,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The disease damages the protective covering around nerves in the central nervous system, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness, numbness, vision changes and mobility issues.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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This can result in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The Rams did not falter and an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown for Jameson Bongiolatti cut the deficit to 21-7.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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After 36 minutes of cagey huff-and-puff, Arsenal’s clean-sheet record was spoiled again in game nine of their run, though, as in 1903, their undefeatedness in that stretch was to remain intact.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And at the same time, while the East shivers, much of the West will bask under unusually mild to even warm weather.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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That’s partly why the Atlas launch sent shivers through Silicon Valley.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The All Aligned Ribbed Long-sleeve Henley Dress is made from a soft, ribbed Nulu fabric that’s sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and equipped with plenty of stretch to keep you comfortable on the road and at home.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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Especially with two new blockers on the outside, as left tackle Jordan Seaton watched the game in sweats while wearing a walking boot on his right ankle.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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