shilly-shally 1 of 3

verb

Definition of shilly-shallynext
1
as in to hesitate
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to delay
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

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shilly-shally

2 of 3

noun

as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action the construction project was once again delayed by the bureaucratic shilly-shally of regulatory agencies

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shilly-shally

3 of 3

adjective

as in shilly-shallying

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
  1. hesitate
  2. delay
  3. hesitation
  4. falter
  5. linger
  6. hesitancy
  7. ambivalent
  8. poke
Verb
  • But because spinners are so popular now, many hunters hesitate to run them, especially on pressured ducks.
    Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Don’t hesitate to do your best and implement a change that stimulates personal growth or self-improvement.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • In August 2024, the Financial Times reported that 40% of more than 100 projects evaluated were delayed.
    James Morton Turner, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2024
  • This year, state laws still in place in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin prohibiting election workers from counting early votes until Election Day are expected to delay results again.
    Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Definition of delay
Noun
  • While the women are coming in oozing with persona and charisma, there is still a sense of hesitation in trying to mark their territory.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
  • In new partnerships, there’s often a sense of hesitation as both sides gauge each other’s commitment.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of hesitation
Verb
  • Were Russia to falter in the war and start seeking an exit, countries outside Europe could be vital to the ensuing diplomacy.
    Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Like many in the auto industry, Stellantis has been contending with a perfect storm of challenges on the road to full electrification, including faltering global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and competition from China.
    Matt Clinch,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
Definition of falter
Verb
  • The unconscious mind lingers on the problem even after people have used strategies to quiet the fear by pushing it from awareness.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
  • For some people, PPD lingers for months and years, increasing in severity over time.
    Wendy Wisner, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of linger
Noun
  • The event signals a substantial nod of confidence in Harris from a critical part of the LGBTQ+ community that has historically eyed her with hesitancy.
    Condé Nast, Them, 15 Aug. 2024
  • Many attribute their hesitancy to the perception that physicians are unwilling or unable to help.
    Henry Bair, STAT, 31 July 2024
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • Kate is ambivalent about striving after a level of power, which is possibly the most preposterous detail in a series that isn't overly concerned with authenticity.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
  • For any society, regarding any proposition, the population will spread out on a spectrum: 20 percent will strongly disagree, 70 percent will be more ambivalent, and 10 percent will be in total agreement.
    Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Definition of ambivalent
Verb
  • Sometimes, the cop even pokes fun at the suspect’s inability to sprint, calling them out for being out of shape.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The Russian and Chinese militaries are exercising with each other more regularly and even poking the U.S. in the eye on occasion — in July, the U.S. Air Force intercepted a few Russian and Chinese bomber aircraft operating in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
    Daniel DePetris, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024
Definition of poke
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.

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Thesaurus Entries Near shilly-shally

shilly-shallies

shilly-shally

shilly-shallying

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Cite this Entry

“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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