shilly-shally 1 of 3

verb

Definition of shilly-shallynext
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

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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

shilly-shally

2 of 3

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shilly-shally

3 of 3

adjective

as in shilly-shallying

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
  1. hesitate
  2. delay
  3. hesitation
  4. ambivalent
  5. falter
  6. linger
  7. hesitancy
  8. random
Verb
  • This is your last chance to get these deals, so don't hesitate!
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t hesitate to hold back final details until the date is near, or to occasionally change your routines.
    — Richard Priem, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • Some of that January increase reflects workers who secured jobs during the final months of the previous year but delayed their start dates.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pouring billions of dollars into developing a domestic tech ecosystem under his Vision 2030 program, even as some mega-projects are delayed.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • Likewise, when a veteran employee expresses hesitation about a new operational structure, do not label them as resistant to change.
    — Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • For many people, the hesitation around getting hearing aids is attached to cost and how to manage the upfront amount.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hesitation
Adjective
  • The ensemble of actors is convincing in its naturalness, with the characterizations remaining consistently precise and ambivalent.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The powwow was more ambivalent than most Fourth of July celebrations.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambivalent
Verb
  • Other elements of this team that were so strong last year also faltered, from pass protection to the tight ends to Davante Adams to the run defense and overall pass rush.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Many musicians have faltered when trying to follow their first, most famous song.
    — Katie Heaney, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of falter
Verb
  • Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The afterburn of his relationship with Charleson lingers affectingly, though.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of linger
Noun
  • Handy said hesitancy around the measles vaccine dates back to 2000 or even earlier.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Martone competes well, showing no hesitancy to engage physically or create at the net.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • Regardless of the reason, a random, one-time-use rub does nothing for deer hunters.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In the company’s new subscription product, there is no flurry of random off-topic comments posted by unidentified users.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of random
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.

Browse Nearby Words

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shilly-shally
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Cite this Entry

“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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