Thesaurus results for PUSSYFOOTING

pussyfooting

verb

present participle of pussyfoot

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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as in lurking

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

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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

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

Surging Treasury yields have rattled Wall Street, but there may also be an opportunity lurking for income investors to turn a profit.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
For more than a century, astronomers have been captivated by the idea that an undiscovered planet could be lurking in the furthest reaches of our solar system.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of lurking

Verb

Isaiah’s aunt, Charlene, said in court this week that her 8-year-old nephew was mischievous, often sneaking food in the middle of the night.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Auburn’s slate was more difficult, sneaking by Baylor (and former Gators quarterback DJ Lagway) 17-16 in Week 1 before leveling Southern Miss 43-8 last Saturday.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sneaking

Verb

However, Maguire decides to shoot instead of slipping the ball through to Mbeumo.

— Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The open center gives hand towels or bath sheets somewhere to loop through, rather than inevitably slipping onto the floor, and the handmade stoneware can hold up to 10 pounds.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of slipping

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pussyfooted

pussyfooting

pussyfoots

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“Pussyfooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooting. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pussyfooting

verb

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