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
  • In fact, the former Duchess is said to be returning to the UK and trying to weasel her way back into the royal family.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of weasel
Verb
  • In the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, on the morning of March 11, 2013, something lurked just below the surface of a young Afghan man, a boy, really.
    — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • After all, teams like Cincinnati, Buffalo, San Francisco, New England and Los Angeles (Rams) still lurk.
    — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of lurk
Verb
  • There's no way a cat could sneak past the dogs through the doggy door.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That loss by the Huskies could be what Timber Creek (6-3) needed to sneak into the 6A -1 bracket.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 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
  • With rain falling in the second half, linebacker Nick Bolton slipped and fell on the Bronco’s explosive 22-yard play to Adam Trautman on the drive that ended in a score.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Along with the new assortment of jewelry designs, Steff Eleoff will offer its signature tech ring covers, which slip over Oura rings and give the devices the elevated appearance of modern jewelry.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of slip
Verb
  • Companies at the forefront of the AI boom, such as CoreWeave, Tesla, and SpaceX, saw share prices slide as markets priced in tighter Democratic regulatory oversight and potential restrictions on AI deployment.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Paraguay’s bonds have posted some of the worst losses in emerging markets this week, and the guaraní has slid against the dollar.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of slide

Browse Nearby Words

pussycats
pussyfoot
pussyfooted
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Cite this Entry

“Pussyfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfoot. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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