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
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
There was no dithering, just a window of opportunity narrowing by the minute.
—Big Think, 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
Neither of them is going to sit around dithering.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
There was no dithering, just a window of opportunity narrowing by the minute.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
-
Lord Cornwallis encountered these imperial priorities in 1778, when he was briefly ordered to leave America along with four thousand troops during a panic that the French might invade Jamaica.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Everyone experiences moments of existential despair, when one bad day or cataclysmic event sends you into a headspace that’s some combination of panic and self-reflection.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
-
With that possibility in mind, the Thunder didn’t hesitate to trade another of their 2026 first-round picks (and three future second-rounders) for sharpshooting guard Jared McCain, the Corona kid whose 13 second-half points Thursday were absolute backbreakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
In the 1980s, many people didn't understand what the fuss was about, longtime broadcast journalist Joie Chen recalls.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Since then, thousands have flocked to theaters nationwide to see the award-winning performer and find out what all the fuss is about.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff theorized that there were more distractions at home and possibly more nerves trying to give the home crowd its money’s worth.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Tremors happen when nerves aren’t properly communicating with certain muscles.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the company that made their name keeps faltering towards the point of no return.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Milei, at odds with the press to a degree unseen since the 1983 restoration of Argentine democracy, has escalated his media-bashing in recent weeks as his flagship campaigns against corruption and inflation falter.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 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
-
For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
8 May 2026
-
Miller wrote the play long before the rise of artificial intelligence sent shivers through the American workforce.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, that lap turned into eleven more years of touring, sweat, new music, and reconnecting with the fans who made this all possible in the first place.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
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For shoppers who want the calming effect of deep pressure stimulation but tend to overheat, these three options are designed to deliver the pressure without the sweat.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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