diddle

verb

ˈdi-dᵊl How to pronounce diddle (audio)
Definition of diddlenext
1
as in to delay
to move or act slowly even though the hurricane was fast approaching, federal and local politicians wasted precious time diddling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats an unscrupulous Broadway producer diddles little old ladies by persuading them to invest in a surefire flop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diddle
  1. delay
  2. cheat
  3. poke
  4. squeeze
  5. crawl
  6. pluck
  7. drag
  8. linger
Verb
  • The looming multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall in Annapolis strongly suggests that some elements of the Blueprint may have to be delayed and, presumably, that includes spending more on teacher pay.
    Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024
  • National News Florida woman charged with threatening health insurance company with ‘delay, deny, depose’ A Florida woman has been charged with threatening her health insurance provider during a phone...
    The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Others cast blame, lie, and even cheat to avoid consequences.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Every woman is either a scorned wife, a cheating girlfriend, or a pretty young thing.
    Riann Phillip, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • Cleavage forming, hormones erupting, hair poking through in what feels like strange places and wanting to dance on the peripherals of sexiness.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
  • This cute sweatshirt pokes fun at the sport’s quirky name with a watercolor print of two pickles playing pickleball.
    Cai Cramer, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of poke
Verb
  • Reusable Pizza Storage Container (5-Pack) This triangular container is way easier to squeeze into the fridge than a bulky pizza box.
    Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Translated, the budget pressures that Fitch expects to continue squeezing higher education are coming from rising costs and stagnant public support and not necessarily from market retraction.
    Derek Newton, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Some sailors clung to mooring lines, crawling across to find safety.
    Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The creature then rips her mouth open and crawls inside.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Idiosyncratic boutique hotels are sprouting up, too, complete with creature comforts and artwork plucked from booming art scenes.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Trump is plucking several House lawmakers to serve in his administration, creating vacancies that will be filled in April or beyond.
    David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • When the crime bosses checked in for their table assignments, they were arrested and dragged away so as not to tip off the next suspect.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Having him home for dinner every night and being able to drag him to his brother's dance recitals is a blessing, the actress told the outlet.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Fire activity around Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus has decreased, with only small flames remaining as firefighters tackle lingering hot spots, the school alerted at 9:58 p.m. Tuesday.
    Hanna Park, Robert Shackelford and Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of vanilla, caramel, spice, and seasoned oak.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of linger
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.

Phrases Containing diddle

Thesaurus Entries Near diddle

did by

diddle

diddled

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Cite this Entry

“Diddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diddle. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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