1
as in to hesitate
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 to delay
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
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the construction project was once again delayed by the bureaucratic shilly-shally of regulatory agencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shilly-shallying
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
Verb
-
Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026 -
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
Verb
-
The contest was delayed for about 10 minutes in the fourth after plate umpire Ron Kulpa exited due to taking a foul ball off his mask.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Along with Buttó, right-hander Hayden Birdsong underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, while right-handers Joel Peguero (Grade 2 hamstring strain) and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor) sustained injuries that delayed the starts to their seasons.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.—
Christopher P. DeSanctis,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The primary suite is described as storage-rich and spa-like, with multiple closets and a bath built for lingering.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But Paddack won’t let the sting linger.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After the Veach interview ended, Schrager talked about Veach’s hesitancy.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That hesitancy drove some of the conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
To be sure, many Jews in America hold ambivalent views, feeling both a connection to Israel and a contempt for the Netanyahu government.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Many are ambivalent about what comes next.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … EMERGENCY EASE — Trump administration steps in with rare tax relief for DHS workers as shutdown drags on.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Several parents who spoke to The Baltimore Sun, under the condition of anonymity because of fears that the institution would retaliate against their sons, questioned why the school continues to drag its feet about bringing back Moran.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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