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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
Verb
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The United States must not hesitate in ensuring that a democracy, Ukraine, does not succumb to an antidemocratic, autocratic, dictatorial and villainous Russia.—
Askold Haywas,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025 -
But when the airstrikes began this week, Ms. Abu Akar didn’t hesitate.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Broken cross-department collaboration exacerbates inefficiencies, delaying decision-making and execution.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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To save its melting glaciers, China has used technology including snow blankets and artificial snow systems, to delay the melting process.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This kind of training helps eliminate hesitation in critical moments.—
Oleg Fonarov,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Use Your Mouth Nothing kills intensity like hesitation.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Why do so many organizations falter in executing their strategies?—
Forrester,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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However, the Northern Irishman’s blazing play would falter a bit, bogeying the 14th hole while Spaun birdied the 14th and 16th holes.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The discoloration may linger after the fungus has been removed.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
23 Mar. 2025
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The palate is intensely flavored with citrus fruits and a stone-fruit character, balanced by a crisp acidity and a dry, lingering finish.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That's an encouraging step, but consistency on the importance of vaccination is needed to overcome current levels of public hesitancy.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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The team’s hesitancy stemmed, in part, from its existing collection of nine-figure contracts.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Toddlers are often ambivalent about growing up and leaving their babyhood behind, and for this reason, change can be hard for them, says Dr. Widome.—
Laura Broadwell,
Parents,
18 Mar. 2025
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This time the response to Fetterman’s pilgrimage, which caught most senior Democrats by surprise, was more ambivalent.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Mary Fowler momentarily looks down and holds up a very neat yellow square of knitting to the camera, two wooden needles poking out either side.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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During the incident, Konig also allegedly attempted to poke the woman with two syringes, Hawaii News Now reported, citing law enforcement sources.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
25 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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