pussyfooting

verb

present participle of pussyfoot
1
as in weaseling
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 lurking
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 pussyfooting 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pussyfooting
  1. waffling
  2. lurking
  3. sneaking
  4. slipping
  5. sliding
Verb
  • The tournament’s special status — its unwillingness to place any person above the sport — is part of why Williams wanted to play singles, not just doubles with her sister Venus, after waffling on the decision.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of waffling
Verb
  • Everyone in France has been more than aware of Zidane’s presence lurking off stage for the last few years.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • These pests are excellent hiders, but they can often be spotted lurking under plant leaves and around plant crowns.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026
Definition of lurking
Verb
  • The facing page depicts a mother, fearful, sneaking away to protect her new child.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • Her grandmother is sneaking out at night, and even shows up to Jazz’s school as a substitute.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of sneaking
Verb
  • Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
  • Audiences had not responded well to Schmidt’s two-timing Cece and Elizabeth, and a dark cloud hovered around the network’s growing frustration over New Girl’s slipping ratings.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of slipping
Verb
  • Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of sliding

Browse Nearby Words

pussyfooted
pussyfooting
pussyfoots
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Cite this Entry

“Pussyfooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooting. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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