shilly-shallying 1 of 3

noun

Definition of shilly-shallyingnext
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action fortunately, during the crisis there was no shilly-shallying on the part of the president

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shilly-shallying

2 of 3

adjective

as in ambivalent

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shilly-shallying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of shilly-shally
1
as in hesitating
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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2
as in delaying
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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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shallying
  1. hesitation
  2. ambivalent
  3. hesitancy
  4. lingering
  5. pause
  6. random
  7. poking
  8. hesitance
Noun
  • Focus on retention, education, activation, new tech and rewarding your people to start the next year with momentum, not hesitation.
    Yogesh Shah, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Despite potential hesitation from fellow Republicans, Trump persists that the former Fox News host is ethically equipped to handle the role.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of hesitation
Adjective
  • Israel and the West were long ambivalent about Assad's fate.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Ulf, however, is more ambivalent about Linn’s contribution.
    John Russell, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of ambivalent
Noun
  • Related article What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed One reason for the hesitancy is that prices at the grocery store remain elevated to cook that classic Thanksgiving dinner.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
  • But there was also a hesitancy at the back that allowed the visitors to stride forward unopposed.
    Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
Definition of hesitancy
Verb
  • The medium-length and smooth finish leaves a lingering impression of vanilla, caramel, and oak.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The lingering autumn-like warmth not only offers pleasant days for outdoor activities but could also provide some financial relief for local households after the electric bill price hikes that usually happen during the scorching summer months in the city.
    Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of lingering
Noun
  • This time of year offers a natural pause to evaluate the past and consider the future.
    Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Drone activity over the weekend forced a pause on air traffic in at least two states.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of pause
Adjective
  • People Magazine Investigates The shooting appeared random at first, but police eventually unspooled a strange plot involving Li's ex-wife and a bitter custody dispute over their son, Arik, who has severe disabilities stemming from a medical misdiagnosis early in his life.
    Liam Quinn, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of random
Verb
  • No leader wants to be like the movie Office Space, famous for poking fun at the flaws of the 1990s workplace cube farms and non-welcoming vibes.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Take Kule’s for example—the red stripes would look so chic poking out from beneath a tonal knit or ladylike jacket.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of poking
Noun
  • As the war in Ukraine escalated and the enmity between Moscow and its Western rivals deepened, Lukashenko's apparent hesitance to fully commit to the conflict seems to have bought him some level of freedom from retaliation.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
  • That regulatory hesitance has spurred a boom in e-wallets and digital banks across the Asia-Pacific region, as companies target unbanked and underbanked populations in developing markets.
    Chris Morris, Fortune Asia, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of hesitance
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near shilly-shallying

shilly-shally

shilly-shallying

shimmer

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Cite this Entry

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

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