1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
Grandma usually gets in a dither if I don't make my weekly call
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in butterflies
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
we were all in a dither while we waited for the test results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
we dithered all afternoon over whether to go to the park or to the movies and ended up doing neither
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dither
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
But that counterintuitive ranking, in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican statewide in years, has Democrats in a dither and reform advocates once again saying that California needs to shift to a more representative form of voting.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
There was no dithering, just a window of opportunity narrowing by the minute.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer.
—PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
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Two decades ago, his grandfather was riding his bicycle when he got cut off by a car, and squeezed his brakes in a panic.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
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No endgame That ought to provide some perspective on the panic over the war in the Middle East.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
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Evaluate your silver investment options with precision, then, and don't hesitate to use the experts associated with precious metal investing companies who can better assist you and help you get started securely.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One is beautiful and famous the world over; the other is even more beautiful yet content not to have to put up with all the fuss and attention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the first phase of curbside construction isn’t expected to cause much fuss for drivers.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The nerves were there, but so was the excitement.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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In the fullness of time, Nancy had a Nest camera installed—one of those all-seeing eyes meant to guard the property and calm anxious nerves and provide real safety from intrusion.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dubai, in particular, finds its position as the crown jewel of Middle East’s tourism faltering as its airports have been forced to shut temporarily during the conflict.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
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The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore's defense faltered late.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
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Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
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Even without a major spill, everyday wear and tear including sweat, pets, and sticky fingers leaves its mark (or many marks) on the cotton, microfiber, leather, or other common couch upholstery facing daily use.—
Bridget Reed Morawski,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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