1
as in hesitated
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
I didn't shilly-shally but instead raced to the hospital as soon as I heard the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delayed
to move or act slowly
with dinner guests due in two hours, there was no time to shilly-shally in front of the TV set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shallied
Verb
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While much of Manhattan hesitated, the ultra-wealthy kept moving—and in some cases, moving quickly when the right opportunity appeared.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026 -
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The results of an intelligence assessment delayed his combat deployment.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Before the contract was eventually approved, the Solano County Deputy Sheriff's Association, the department's union, came out against the move, which delayed a vote at the time.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore's defense faltered late.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Efforts to identify a leadership alternative inside Iran have faltered.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those are the listings that lingered on the market for more than two months.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
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But a swath of traffic cones and an unfinished project have lingered, and sidewalks, a layer of asphalt and road striping still need to be finished.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Families of the victims grew doubtful that their killer would ever be caught as the investigation dragged on for more than a decade.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Milne had grabbed his wife by the neck, choked her, dragged her around, restrained her, punched her and knocked her unconscious.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Woods was alone in the car and crawled out of the passenger door after the crash.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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The man who crawled out of that chest would shape how nations justify power for centuries to come.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wrencher said Russell once tied her to a chair, poked her with a knife, and threatened to burn the house down, the son said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Both characteristics were on full display when Drasner hit the local airwaves with a television commercial that promoted The News and poked fun at one of its upstart rivals.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shallied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shallied. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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