as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the dillydallying congress hadn't passed any legislation, and the term was almost over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
don't dillydally on the way to the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dawdling
to spend time doing nothing
restaurant employees who, during the slow periods, would rather be doing something instead of just dillydallying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dillydallying
Adjective
-
Jodie Foster steps out after enjoying a leisurely brunch with her wife at Café Cluny in New York City on May 27.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026 -
Acceleration is leisurely, however, even for this group of cars.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
Recovery of the bodies has been slow because of the chemicals and other hazards present at the site, Amos explained.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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One of the most painful things about this disease is knowing that promising treatments are emerging, but funding barriers and manufacturing and procedural slow-downs continue to derail progress.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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An emotionally disturbed man swiped an idling private ambulance off a Bronx street Thursday — taking the rescue vehicle on a short joyride before crashing it into a car, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
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But what is the typical fine amount for idling — and what is idling even considered in New York City?—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
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BigMouth Butter Stick Inflatable Pool Noodle An inflatable pool noodle is just the right summer accessory for lounging around in the water or swimming in style.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
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Some of the episode’s interiors were built alongside the regular Widow’s Bay sets, so breaks for her –– while costumed in 18th century clothing –– were spent taking a breather on a city hall desk or lounging on a couch that would certainly be out of place in 1702.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dillydallying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dillydallying. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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