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
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
as in ambivalent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shallying
Noun
-
But with the integration of AI comes hesitation and fears of job loss, privacy breaches and misinformation.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025 -
This cycle converts hesitation into purchase and builds loyalty, all without human intervention.—
Charisma Glassman,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
An especially Jewish theme in the seventeenth century was not only the necessity but the dignity of subterfuge; to have lived in the shadows of another people’s empire had a nobility of its own, captured in this exquisite and ambivalent image.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
19 July 2025
-
The field of psychotherapy may seem worlds apart from Corporate America, but both systems grapple with a common challenge: how to motivate individuals who feel powerless, resistant or ambivalent about change.—
Brittney Van Matre,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
But new listings were down also, a sign of seller hesitancy and the end of the peak summer selling season.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The hesitancy from his end will probably come from a lack of playing time.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
11 July 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
-
The pause will not impact already existing valid visas, according to the memo, and some applications — including official and C-3 diplomatic visas — will continue to be processed.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Blanching also preserves flavor, as though pressing the pause button on the aging process.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
Adjective
-
In case of doubt, competent authorities may carry out random on-site inspections of cybersecurity standards in the companies, for which the management can be held liable.—
Dennis-Kenji Kipker,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Until then, the random Week 17 NFL game will prove to be a downgrade from Peacock’s exclusive Week 1 game last season — the league’s first-ever regular-season game in South America — which itself was a downgrade from its own preceding season’s exclusive NFL Wild Card Weekend game.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
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Since many experts predict a recession in the near future, this only stokes the fear of loss further when the hesitance is high to begin with.—
Tim Koller,
Time,
20 May 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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