DITHERED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

dithered

verb

past tense of dither

as in hesitated

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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of dithered As the authorities dithered, people across the city grew restless. —

Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026 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 Ao Tanaka should not have dithered and conceded the second set-piece so late into injury time, while the backline should have been more alert to the second ball. —

Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dithered

Verb

But they are mentioned without context, in a way that underlines the Smithsonian’s touchy relationship with an administration that has not hesitated to strong-arm the institution.

— Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Times when studios hesitated about festivals?

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 May 2026