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

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

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

The most profitable service targets authors lurking outside the notoriously gatekept realm of traditional publishing.

— Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026
However, the modern versions that are packed with high explosives and sit lurking under the dirt to blow up unwary vehicles or pedestrians are much nastier affairs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurking

Verb

Kids made good accomplices, tasked with sneaking off on a hunt for the bill.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
At 15, Mariana de Miguel was already sneaking into Mexico City’s nightlife with a fake ID, saving money to see the bands that shaped her imagination.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of sneaking

Verb

But a few months later, at her 18-month appointment, the standard graph that plotted a child’s weight against their age showed her weight slipping off the curve.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
If one hook isn’t enough to keep the bag from slipping, place another one on the opposite side.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of slipping

Verb

With primary colors and winter gear Wondering how to avoid sliding across the sidewalk or catching a cold and still stay fashionable in extreme weather conditions?

— Catie Pusateri, Glamour, 12 Oct. 2026
The rooms Every single one of the 75 rooms is ocean-facing, with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors framing the view, and leading to private terraces perched above the mangroves.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sliding

Browse Nearby Words

pussyfooted

pussyfooting

pussyfoots

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“Pussyfooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooting. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pussyfooting

verb

Example Sentences

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