1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
he spent his college years dallying, seemingly determined to acquire as little knowledge as possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
don't dally on the way to the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun
she spent the summer dallying with a guy renting the neighboring beach house
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
I kept dallying at my desk until I couldn't put off doing my work any longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of dally
Their dallying tartness charts an ongoing conversation on the renowned love affair of sour and spice in Mexican cuisine — one worth celebrating.
—
Andrea Aliseda, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2024
And then there’s her day job, as a receptionist at her art-school alma mater, to pay her landlord, who dallies on fixing the heater.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 June 2023
Another factor in the release undating was Bad Bunny’s touring schedule, which had firmed up while the movie was dallying.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2023
After wrapping up some unfinished business in the aforementioned Morocco (for which the deserts of Jordan this time stand in), Wick makes his way to Japan and Germany before dallying to Paris for the denouement.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dally
Andrea Aliseda, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2024
And then there’s her day job, as a receptionist at her art-school alma mater, to pay her landlord, who dallies on fixing the heater.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 June 2023
Another factor in the release undating was Bad Bunny’s touring schedule, which had firmed up while the movie was dallying.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2023
After wrapping up some unfinished business in the aforementioned Morocco (for which the deserts of Jordan this time stand in), Wick makes his way to Japan and Germany before dallying to Paris for the denouement.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dally
Verb
-
Players who for years were starved for the chance to play meaningful games on behalf of their country now would be able to face-off for international bragging rights.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC News,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Over the last year, the Vikings have believed that Rouse and Jurgens could play meaningful roles on the interior of the offensive line.—
Alec Lewis,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, healthcare costs are climbing, inflation lingers above pre-pandemic levels, and despite some dips, over longer periods of time, life expectancy continues to rise.—
Mike Vietri,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Conclave’s journey mirrored the plot of the film: The papal drama lingered quietly in the background as other contenders got tarred by one scandal or another, then came on late by winning at BAFTA and SAG.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The 29-year-old has flirted with the number for a couple of seasons but just felt short.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Their core pieces had never flirted with a top-three division spot until now.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The opening of the jail had been delayed, the red carpet stored away, the prisoners' transfers into this facility put on hold.—
Keith Sharon,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Additionally, decisions on pending petitions to expand coverage to autoimmune and cardiac conditions will be delayed and there will be fewer people to intervene when there are problems with prescriptions and treatment, according to Chevat.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Now is not the time to dawdle, as certain entries on the list might still sell out by week’s end.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Instead, Spurs dawdled during negotiations and, in the end, Slot stayed with the Dutch club for another season before joining Liverpool.—
Oli Gamp,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
When users click and drag their cursor across the screen, random clusters of letters appear, followed by sentences that flash briefly before disappearing.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Swansea City have sacked head coach Luke Williams following a poor run of results since the turn of the year that has dragged the Championship club into a relegation battle.—
Stuart James,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Yet even with the credits, demand for Ford's F-150 Lightning electric pickup has faltered, leading Ford to idle the truck's production through the year-end.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
Detroit Free Press,
15 Nov. 2024
-
The vehicles also worsen traffic on Lima’s major thoroughfares, increasing idling by cars and trucks, which are rarely electric.—
Maria Gioia,
The Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
-
As Hill sprinted from the trailing vehicle, the president was struck by a second and third shot as Hill crawled onto the back of the Kennedys' accelerating car.—
Bill Trott,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dally. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share