Synonyms of hems and haws

hems and haws

phrase

present tense third-person singular of hem and haw

as in weasels

to avoid giving a definite answer or position

He kept hemming and hawing and I couldn't get a straight answer.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weasels
• shakes
• hedges
• ducks
• waffles
• pussyfoots
• equivocates
• tergiversates
• straddles the fence
• dodges
• beats around the bush
• fudges
• yo-yoes
• evades
• flip-flops
• skirts
• shuns
• eludes
• eschews
• cavils
• bypasses
• sidesteps
• circumvents
• shirks
• quibbles
• straddles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hems and haws

Alice hems and haws at what to wear to the party, while nervously wondering about reuniting with the Lady Greyhounds after Coach Lasso suspended her for an earlier outburst. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026