1
as in weaseling
to avoid giving a definite answer or position
politicians who try to pussyfoot around hot-button issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in lurking
to move about in a sly or secret manner
pussyfooting through the hallways in the middle of the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pussyfooting
Fragments of story are fed to us, but there’s no forward thrust, just a lot of pussyfooting around.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Alright Genesis, the time for pussyfooting is over.
—New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2026
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Alright Genesis, the time for pussyfooting is over.
—New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pussyfooting
Verb
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Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Patricia Serio is waffling between Saint Xavier and Judson University to finish her degree.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, The Boroughs followed a group of older misfits at a retirement community who become entangled in an otherworldly mystery lurking beneath them.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
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The breakthrough points to a supermassive black hole lurking at the center of our galaxy.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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While that move threatened a major energy price shock, trade flows have since reorientated, governments have taken emergency measures, and a growing stream of oil is now sneaking out of the waterway under cover of darkness.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
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More volumes sneaking out of the Middle East via pipeline and the Gulf also are contributing.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Alpha Camp made decent time, even with Leiya slipping on rocks in the river.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Bad Bunny has been slipping into the sleek thong sandal—styling it casually with jeans and a hoodie, or dressed up with a chic floral dress.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Four minutes later South Korea created its best chance to score tonight but a sliding Lee Kang-in could not get his foot on a beautiful cross into the box.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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In the fourth inning, Witt attempted to make a sliding grab on his knees on the infield dirt.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pussyfooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pussyfooting. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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