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pussyfooted

verb

past tense of pussyfoot
1
as in weaseled
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 lurked
to move about in a sly or secret manner pussyfooting through the hallways in the middle of the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pussyfooted
  1. shook
  2. lurked
  3. sneaked
  4. slipped
  5. slid
Verb
  • During a past earthquake that shook the floor, only a single strand broke across all operating towers.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
  • As Willard wheeled Athena away, fussing with an umbrella to offer the dog shade, Bech Parker shook her head in frustration.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of shook
Verb
  • Rhetoric that had lurked in conspiracy-minded corners of the internet was now coming from the federal government itself.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For years, Cole was mystified by a small, beanlike object with stripes which lurked in the background of certain drawings.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of lurked
Verb
  • Recently, sneaker mules snuck into our team group chat—and even Martha Stewart approves.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The couple snuck off the next weekend and got married on May 30, 1966 at the Ringgold Baptist Church in Ringgold, Ga.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sneaked
Verb
  • Expedia — Shares of the online travel company slipped about 1% after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to underweight.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Stocks slipped Tuesday after oil prices and the bond market cranked up the pressure on Wall Street.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of slipped
Verb
  • Tommy Edman scored easily, and Mookie Betts slid across the plate headfirst as the throw came in high and too late.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Equifax , TransUnion , Fair Isaac — Shares of the credit monitoring companies slid in midday trading.
    — Michelle Fox,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of slid
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.

Browse Nearby Words

pussyfoot
pussyfooted
pussyfooting
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Cite this Entry

“Pussyfooted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooted. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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