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
Relevance
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
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 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
Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.
—PC Magazine, 30 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
There was no dithering, just a window of opportunity narrowing by the minute.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
-
Some are high-frequency shocks — wars, emerging technologies, market panics — that spike quickly and dominate our attention.—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
-
An airstrike on Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm Hotel sparked a fire while also spreading panic on the famous Palm Jumeirah artificial island, where many of the city’s wealthiest residents live.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If a planner hesitates or hedges on this question, consider that a red flag.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The Names by Florence Knapp After a devastating storm, Cora brings her newborn son to be registered, hesitating when pressured to name him after her controlling husband.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Think of them as practical airport shoes that cause little to no fuss.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That transformation was inspired by marquee events with Southern giants like Bragg, Fannie Flagg, and Pat Conroy, events so well attended that Reiss wondered what all the fuss was about.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But analysts and portfolio managers say investors shouldn’t give in to these nerves just yet, pointing instead to shifts in the markets that could create new opportunities.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Nvidia’s stock rose Wednesday in anticipation of a strong report; asset managers noted that the market’s response is unpredictable given investors’ nerves.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The biggest hit will probably come to an area where local governments already falter.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Despite leading most of the game, USC faltered in the final moments and dropped its second game in a row.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Algebra in between scenes… sends shivers down my spine!—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Their accounts gave me shivers of recognition—their experiences echoed my father’s stories.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The ultimate winter sweater can be paired with its matching skirt, jeans, slacks, or sweats.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The sweat-stopping, often controversial ingredient certainly had a reputation back then (see above), but experts say there has been no hard data to suggest there’s a connection between the aluminum salts in antiperspirant and the development of breast cancer.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
