as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
fortunately, during the crisis there was no shilly-shallying on the part of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ambivalent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hesitating
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
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-shallying
Noun
-
Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025 -
These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of Willy’s favorite things to do to his characters was to leave them in a conflicted, confused, ambivalent moral impasse about race.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
-
Though there was much scrutiny in the beginning, Ward added that the network was ambivalent toward the show.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Magical door wash to welcome in the new To create your magic door wash, start with a glass mason jar and cleanse the space above it by ringing a bell in a clockwise motion to clear any lingering energy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Don't jump to conclusions about a compromise state budget plan with cuts, taxes and a lingering bit of uncertainty.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
His ability to go both ways prompts a moment of pause from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, and Mbeumo takes the ball onto his weaker right foot and scores across goal.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Thrillers work well on TV because episodic television has cliffhangers and pauses built into its structure that actually escalate or elevate the mystery component of a story.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The prime time talent show is once again ruining our viewing of acts by constantly cutting in reaction shots of the audience, hosts and random people.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
-
There is also the potential random hijacking of energy cargoes in the Strait, which has precedent.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Generally, a plant whose roots are poking out will be completely root-bound.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Though the party may not explicitly endorse such behaviors, its hesitance to denounce them outright can be perceived as tacit approval, alienating voters who value law and order.—
Nafees Alam,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2025
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This is partly a reflection of the collapse of studio interest in newsy documentaries as well as hesitance around a movie that condemns Israeli policies.—
Marc Tracy,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shallying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shallying. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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