pussyfoot

verb

ˈpu̇-sē-ˌfu̇t How to pronounce pussyfoot (audio)
Definition of pussyfootnext
1
as in to weasel
to avoid giving a definite answer or position politicians who try to pussyfoot around hot-button issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner pussyfooting through the hallways in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pussyfoot Fragments of story are fed to us, but there’s no forward thrust, just a lot of pussyfooting around. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Alright Genesis, the time for pussyfooting is over. — New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2026 Several of these involve a furtive religious cult known as the Scars — its adherents have a way of pussyfooting through the forest and doing absolutely horrible things to nonbelievers. — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025 No less than Werner Herzog remade Murnau’s masterpiece in 1979, starring Klaus Kinski as the bald-headed bloodsucker; rather than pussyfoot around the whole rip-off-or-not aspect, the former doubles down and names the character Count Dracula. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2024 The results of this pussyfooting around are mixed, for everyone involved. — Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pussyfoot
  1. weasel
  2. lurk
  3. sneak
  4. mouse
  5. slip
  6. slide
Verb
  • From there, the Giants remained deadlocked in a 1-1 tie until the 10th, though San Francisco’s relievers had to weasel their way out of trouble to keep the game tied.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • After Felix invites him to his family’s palatial country house over summer break, Oliver weasels his way into their good graces and turns their world upside down.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • On April 29, the loose body that lurked in the backdrop all along became lodged inside Skubal’s elbow joint in front of the world.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Is the Caped Crusader lurking in the periphery of Matt’s vision?
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • Homer would likely be easier to sneak through to the practice squad and then elevate on game days.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Nick, Schmidt, Coach and Winston manage to sneak into the mansion, with Nick desperately trying to make things right with Jess, who is now fully freaking out.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of sneak
Verb
  • Police continued searching the home and found rat and mouse feces throughout, rotting food on the kitchen counter covered with flies and other bugs, and maggots in standing water in the kitchen sink.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
  • Transitioning to mouse mode by simply placing the controller on a table made a potentially confusing input so much more intuitive.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Definition of mouse
Verb
  • Piastri hasn’t been on the podium since Miami in May as McLaren slipped behind Ferrari and, at times, Red Bull for outright pace.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Condo prices slipped slightly as inventory remains elevated following new state safety requirements after the Surfside collapse.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of slip
Verb
  • The Death Riders slid in a Shillelagh, and David Finlay secured the weapon to use it on Juice Robinson for the win.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Hernández, who turns 18 in December, slid over to shortstop in the sixth inning after Gonzalez left the game.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of slide

Browse Nearby Words

pussycats
pussyfoot
pussyfooted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pussyfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfoot. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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