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
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
When the museum dithered in its response, the group held a sit-in there.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
His reluctance, according to a report Thursday by the Red Sox news site BoSox Injection, could open the door for another team to beat the Red Sox to the punch and sign Guerrero while Boston dithers over the size of his contract.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In Diane Keaton’s dithers is all the strength of American women.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
And while the boys dithered, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow launched her campaign Wednesday in what has become the new traditional way: by posting a video and sending out a text asking for money.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
When the museum dithered in its response, the group held a sit-in there.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
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Widespread panic and pain People who were not directly exposed to the disaster but who were exposed to the news also experience distress, anxiety or symptoms of PTSD.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Naturally the thought of death came into one’s mind occasionally but one tried to be sensible about it, not getting into a panic, not pushing it away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Surgery under fire When news of the donor heart came, Todurov did not hesitate.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
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Tran said some Republican clubs have even hesitated to ask their universities for support or security for their events.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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No fuss, just a screen that does the job way better than the price suggests.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Including a mix allows recipients to recreate a little piece of Markle's kitchen without much fuss.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Whether someone's interests bore you or a mispronunciation is getting on your nerves, approach every conversation about such subjects with grace.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Lionesses are very process-driven in an effort to reduce nerves.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Francis was leading from a place of unification and camaraderie where all of these boys, Stebbins included, don’t want to see each other falter and don’t want to see each other die.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Deals collapse when communication falters.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
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Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Hank is a Dallas Cowboys diehard; the idea of Bobby getting into the Premier League sends him into full-body shivers.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Aaron Pierre, 31, has the internet in a tizzy about his fatherhood status.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
8 Sep. 2025
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Swift also touched on one of her recent hobbies, baking sourdough, and an on-the-field moment at the 2024 AFC title game that sent her into a tizzy.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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