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
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Recent Examples of pussyfooting
Alright Genesis, the time for pussyfooting is over.
—
New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2026
New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pussyfooting
Verb
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Orange County commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents the west Orange County district where the Skywalker Smoke & Vape Shop and nearby Olympia High School are close neighbors, cited the business as an example of a danger lurking conspicuously in plain sight.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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That virus lies dormant in our bodies for years after an infection, lurking in the root of a nerve.—
Ashley Milne-Tyte,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
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Patricia Serio is waffling between Saint Xavier and Judson University to finish her degree.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Workers who aren’t sneaking around the rules.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
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For example, sneaking out of the house.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spot gold, which is currently trading at around $4,838 per ounce, has fallen about 10% from its late-January peak, slipping into correction territory even as geopolitical risks intensify.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
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That might mean slipping on an eye mask, starting a calming podcast, and sipping water or herbal tea.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Two batters later, Tucker made a sliding catch on a short fly ball that threatened to touch down in no-man’s land.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pussyfooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooting. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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