1
as in hesitated
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delayed
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shallied
Verb
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The company had traditionally hesitated to include browns in its product range, but in her first year, after nixing the violet, Waight Keller introduced mocha brown, chocolaty brown, and a winey brown that looked like it had been poured from a decanter.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025 -
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
Verb
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Ten other airlines delayed between one and 19 flights.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 Monday to begin charging parking fees in Balboa Park for the first time, but council members delayed the start date by several months and granted many park users some major concessions.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The only categories that The Studio faltered in were the Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy categories.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
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Iranian officials have long pledged to restore the lake, but revival efforts have faltered.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One roach crawled on the floor by the prep table.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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Insects crawled through clinical areas, and staff food was stored alongside medical supplies.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When smoke exposure was higher, more people died — and the impacts lingered, with the death rate remaining elevated for as many as three years beyond the smoke.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
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While wolves may have lingered near human camps, dogs took this relationship a step further.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During her acceptance speech last year for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, the actress poked fun at her own success.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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No movie poked holes in the stereotypical puffy rock-star ego more effectively than Spinal Tap did, and there are legions of fans who have the film almost completely memorized.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Security reviews and App Store approvals dragged far longer than the five-week YC sprint.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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After lengthy negotiations that dragged on for the past several months, the 38-year-old Argentine legend and Inter Miami have agreed to terms on a new multiyear contract, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shallied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shallied. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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