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
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
Hamlet, famously, vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father—but then he dithers, delays, and generally goes crazy, only killing Claudius at the very end of Shakespeare’s longest play.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Verb
This dithering isn’t helping anyone.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
-
Residents rushed out of homes and buildings in panic, the Associated Press reported.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The auto industry, which uses about 20% of the world’s carbon fiber, went into a panic at the proposal (and the short lead times the 2029 ban would have given them).—
Michael Taylor,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Understanding why companies hesitate, and knowing how to work around it, gives you an edge.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Tickets are going fast for this panel, so don’t hesitate to secure your spot.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This gift is perfect for the mom who wants to look her best without the fuss or time commitment of traditional styling methods.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Slip-on sneakers are a non-negotiable for me on a road trip — no laces, no fuss, just an easy style that works from rest stop to restaurant.—
Jennifer Vermeer,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Musk’s comments about his time allotment come just hours after a group of eight Democratic state treasurers wrote to the chair of Tesla’s board about the company’s faltering performance.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
-
There were days their hitters faltered, their starters struggled, their relievers were unreliable.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Noun
-
After Beyoncé released her birth certificate in her Cowboy Carter Tour book, according to screenshots from fans, new information has come to light about her birth chart which has fans in a tizzy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Washington is in a tizzy over Donald Trump's sweeping assertions of executive power, often at the behest of Elon Musk, an influential private citizen who decidedly lacks public office.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The mesh back won’t trap heat or sweat (unlike a typical ball cap).—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Makeup patted him down—he’d worked up a coat of sweat during the setup—and powdered him up; the costumer threw his shirt on him.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share