as in hesitated
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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Recent Examples of dithered
Sarah Finnane dithered mightily before deciding on this wild wallpaper for the new powder room.
—
Gary Thompson,
Midwest Living,
5 June 2026
Trump dithered, then waited until the last minute to back Paxton.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
As the authorities dithered, people across the city grew restless.
—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
People shouted over each other as the performers dithered over ideas and raced around the venue.
—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Ao Tanaka should not have dithered and conceded the second set-piece so late into injury time, while the backline should have been more alert to the second ball.
—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Gary Thompson,
Midwest Living,
5 June 2026
Trump dithered, then waited until the last minute to back Paxton.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
As the authorities dithered, people across the city grew restless.
—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
People shouted over each other as the performers dithered over ideas and raced around the venue.
—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Ao Tanaka should not have dithered and conceded the second set-piece so late into injury time, while the backline should have been more alert to the second ball.
—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dithered
Verb
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Like Camilla, Princess Kate reportedly hesitated to take the Princess of Wales title following Queen Elizabeth’s death because of its longtime association with Diana.
-
Keep in mind, Andy, Woody’s first and beloved owner, wanted to keep Woody with him, even in college, and hesitated for a moment before giving him up to Bonnie in Toy Story 3.
Verb
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Russell Henley also made a 4-under push on Sunday to finish 10-under, while Cam Young faltered in the final pairing with a 1-over round to finish 10-under as well.
-
Brazobán faltered, however, allowing a walk and two hits, the last of which being a two-out RBI single by Trae Turner that put the Phillies up, 2-1.
Cite this Entry
“Dithered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dithered. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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