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
Relevance
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
-
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not hesitate when asked about his expectations for Mookie Betts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026 -
Many users hesitate to upload ID scans or biometric selfies to access gaming servers or community groups.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It was also delayed thanks to a series of multiple wet dress rehearsal failures.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Los Altos Hills Mayor Rajiv Bhateja said since taxes are likely unfeasible, the hike could force the the town to lay off 10% of its staff or delay key projects like road maintenance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In rap’s gladiator arena, there’s no grace for hesitation, and that hesitation defined Cole’s involvement in the clash of the century.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Among those emails are unsent drafts, abandoned because of distraction or hesitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Mizzou was successful early but faltered late before hanging on.—
Joseph Pastilha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Weir was right, but those tours — whether billed as the Other Ones or the Dead — were a blend of old camaraderie and lingering friction between the members.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Friday afternoon the rain will linger, but become more patchy in nature.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jackson also participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to battle hesitancy in Black communities.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And every one of us has moments of hiding, fear, doubt, and hesitancy.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Another friend felt more ambivalent about his casting.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Others, such as Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, seem ambivalent or opportunistic.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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About 20 firefighters are actively considering leaving the department, Veit said — and that number continues to increase as contract negotiations drag on.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Her criminal case has dragged on, unresolved, and she is entitled to be presumed innocent.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
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