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

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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
  • In the front seat of Red Bull’s car, Lodewyck did not hesitate.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • While the environment and systems have evolved and data has increased, organizations still hesitate when decisions must be made.
    — Jorge Couto, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • When that first weekend closure did happen, Sunday night rain did not delay the lanes’ opening early Monday.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • The midfielder was deemed to have delayed a restart by throwing the ball away.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • Trust reduces hesitation, especially when people are comparing options fast and looking for a reason to stay.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Rather, congressional hesitation on what would be the largest election reform in decades reflects an awareness of constituent needs and lawmakers’ own reelection risks.
    — SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of hesitation
Adjective
  • Overall, watching my previously ambivalent friends and family members really gain a new appreciation for this sport during this World Cup.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • American statesmen have always found France an ambivalent ally, but as much because of their own behavior as that of their counterparts.
    — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Definition of ambivalent
Verb
  • The Sharks nearly made the playoffs last season, but, for a variety of reasons, faltered down the stretch and finished four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second and final wild card spot.
    — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • As the Phillies surge and the Jays falter, Mattingly's influence is increasingly evident, sparking widespread discussion.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of falter
Verb
  • The floods drew attention to still unhealed wounds — and lingering regrets.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • But perhaps the performance that lingers most in our minds is that of Elliot Page, 39, who in just a few short scenes anchors the film with his guileless sincerity and righteous anger.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of linger
Noun
  • Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.
    — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries.
    — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • The maximalist space is filled with art pieces big and small — drawings taped up, random plant pots and street signs, scrap-metal sculptures and realist paintings.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Amid the random parts stitched together to fill 10 half-hour episodes (which are actually 30 minutes or less, thank God), there are intriguing patterns.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 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

shilly-shallies
shilly-shally
shilly-shallying
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Cite this Entry

“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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