1
as in to hesitate
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to delay
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
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the construction project was once again delayed by the bureaucratic shilly-shally of regulatory agencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shilly-shallying
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
Verb
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But at the last second, Pages pulled up to let Tucker make the catch, and Tucker hesitated before flailing after it.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026 -
While their rivals started spending significant sums of money as soon as the 2024-25 season finished, Spurs wasted a couple of weeks hesitating about the long-term future of then head coach Ange Postecoglou before replacing him with Thomas Frank.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama has allowed Robinson to delay his decision-making.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The game was delayed 1 hour, 7 minutes due to rain and lightning.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
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His party was in denial, and the hesitation cost them the general election.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
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Aside from his hesitations over the SNL cue cards, Holland has not shied away from live performance itself.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Those who came of age in the past three decades of the 20th century were often more ambivalent about what lipstick – and bright makeup in general – signaled to others.—
Eileen G'Sell,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
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Were the Kroenkes too busy, too distracted, too ambivalent?—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Every neighborhood has its own part in the story too, as the nightlife nexus has migrated up and down Manhattan, shimmied across the East River and back, and transformed, faltered, and thrived again over the past six decades.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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But, as talks have publicly faltered in the past week, both sides have launched fresh strikes.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The one question lingering after the Garrett trade was whether or not his addition would lure Rams great Aaron Donald, 35, out of retirement for one last ride.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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When someone of Perkins’ caliber is cast in a recurring role, they won’t be expected to just linger in the background.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Another common problem for leaders is dealing with the pressure to innovate or the hesitancy to invest from the board.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
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His hesitancy could undermine one of DeSantis’ key arguments to sway voters, particularly those in small counties, in favor of the amendment.—
Romy Ellenbogen Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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But, a series of random attacks that left two women dead and a man injured in Atlanta over the past few weeks have some locals on edge, and others wondering if the city is truly prepared to handle the safety of thousands of extra people.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The vast majority of e-chucks are made of ceramic — hence Toto’s seemingly random decision to add them to its portfolio.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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