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
-
The arc of Fatal Optimist and Diaz’s perceptive, insistent songwriting make that movement, even with its hesitation, feel like a victory.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025 -
The bear was now 35 yards away and showing no hesitation in her charge.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Because life—even for us jaded adults—should be for the seizing, not for hesitating in the face of fear.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Meyers acted his dang butt off in this sketch, and the audience paid him back with unsure and hesitating titters — not crickets, but not enthusiasm either.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With the tariffs firmly in place, representatives from both associations said most buyers are either delaying or not placing new orders.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In Sweden, Nobel’s will sparked a legal dispute within his family, delaying the implementation of his wishes.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Safdie may have found a new way to make a sports drama, one that relies less on the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat and more on all that is contained in the ambivalent middle.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Hunnam is ambivalent about horror as a genre.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His grandfather, Leroy Hanlon, frustrated by this hesitancy, snatches the instrument out of Mike’s hand and carries out the deed himself.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
-
That hesitancy is echoed by some analysts, who said the concept currently lacked clarity.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
History will probably remember this Ravens team for faltering because of injuries, namely to their starting quarterback.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The Street is critical of Cornell for not initiating enough changes and corrections to improve Target’s business, which has been faltering for several seasons.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Detroit starting left tackle Taylor Decker missed the last game due to a lingering shoulder injury, and his replacement, second-year lineman Giovanni Manu, struggled against the Cincinnati Bengals.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Fall Prime Day is officially over, and these lingering discounts will most certainly be gone by tomorrow.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The funding pause leaves many new homeowners in high-flood risk areas scrambling for protection and could halt the processing of current damage claims.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Contrast that with Robert Lewandowski, whose stutter, pause, judder, wait for the ’keeper to dive and then place it wide of the post didn’t work for Barcelona during their surprise defeat away to Sevilla a few hours later.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2025.
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