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
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Recent Examples of dither
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Neither of them is going to sit around dithering.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
But that counterintuitive ranking, in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican statewide in years, has Democrats in a dither and reform advocates once again saying that California needs to shift to a more representative form of voting.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
People shouted over each other as the performers dithered over ideas and raced around the venue.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Neither of them is going to sit around dithering.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
-
Ednar Dayanghirang, director of the Office of Civil Defense in a nearby southern region, said more than 100 students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies sustained bruises and some fainted in panic at different elementary and high schools.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But that’s hard to square with the panic that took hold of Moscow last month, when an annual military parade was shortened for fear it would be interrupted by Ukrainian drones.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Verb
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But at the last second, Pages pulled up to let Tucker make the catch, and Tucker hesitated before flailing after it.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
While their rivals started spending significant sums of money as soon as the 2024-25 season finished, Spurs wasted a couple of weeks hesitating about the long-term future of then head coach Ange Postecoglou before replacing him with Thomas Frank.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Reviewers say assembly is also quick and easy—a major plus for those who value style without the fuss.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 June 2026
-
Once people knew what the fuss was about, however, the crowds swiftly dried up, and most reviews were mixed.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The brain influences the body’s response to nerves as much as that of the mind.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Every neighborhood has its own part in the story too, as the nightlife nexus has migrated up and down Manhattan, shimmied across the East River and back, and transformed, faltered, and thrived again over the past six decades.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
But, as talks have publicly faltered in the past week, both sides have launched fresh strikes.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Economic shivers give both the fits, and a pressured consumer has both well in the red so far this year.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
These insects and arachnids might startle you or send shivers down your spine, but there's no need to worry about these bugs—not too much, anyway.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Day-to-day, sweat, humidity and friction are the routine wear-and-tear concerns.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, young founders are raising triple-digit millions without breaking a sweat.—
Richard Nieva,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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