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
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2
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
don't dally on the way to the interview
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dally
While deleterious when recurring over the course of a lifetime, dilly-dallying can kill even quicker on a basketball court.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Arsenal need only look at title rivals Liverpool to see the dangers of dallying.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers were dallying in Scott's trade market ahead of the 2024 trade deadline before he was sent to the San Diego Padres along with reliever Bryan Hoeing for four minor league players.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
There is a decision to be made — and after two years of dilly-dallying, it can’t be delayed any longer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dally
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Arsenal need only look at title rivals Liverpool to see the dangers of dallying.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers were dallying in Scott's trade market ahead of the 2024 trade deadline before he was sent to the San Diego Padres along with reliever Bryan Hoeing for four minor league players.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
There is a decision to be made — and after two years of dilly-dallying, it can’t be delayed any longer.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dally
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dally
Verb
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Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet with so many worries lingering, even after Shi’s attempt to reassure them, confidence is as low as at any time in his nine years at the helm.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The tension lingers throughout the meal, leaving the family divided.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond briefly flirted with 5 percent this week but has risen over the past month much less than other government bonds.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Deeper Conversation People who flirt through deeper conversation are likely prioritizing emotional connections.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The cousin tried to drag Guzman away, and saw the shooter walk back inside the house.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Mitchell was then dragged outside to the valet area, and a female Hyatt employee grabbed a broomstick and struck Mitchell with it.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But now, several hundred workers who were out over the water, working to get it up and running, have been idled.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
1 Sep. 2025
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On the runway, planes sat with engines idling, ground crews making final preparations as if departures could come at any moment — all as the courtroom battle played out hundreds of miles away in Washington.—
Valerie Gonzalez,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, a similar scene closely followed as the funeral procession for Kansas City, Kansas, police officer Hunter Simoncic crawled along through the highways and streets in the community Simoncic worked to keep safe.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
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Eby crawled across a ladder over the water to the vehicle, then crawled back with the child on his back, the video shows.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dally. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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