shilly-shally 1 of 3

verb

Definition of shilly-shallynext
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

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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

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shilly-shally

2 of 3

noun

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

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shilly-shally

3 of 3

adjective

as in shilly-shallying

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
  1. hesitate
  2. delay
  3. hesitation
  4. falter
  5. linger
  6. hesitancy
  7. ambivalent
  8. poke
Verb
  • But because spinners are so popular now, many hunters hesitate to run them, especially on pressured ducks.
    Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Don’t hesitate to do your best and implement a change that stimulates personal growth or self-improvement.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • In a 2023 lawsuit, 20 patients alleged doctors delayed or denied medically-necessary care out of confusion and fear of the penalties for violating the law, which include loss of medical license, fines of $100,000 or more and sentences of up to life in prison.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • But don't delay, the collection will be available for a limited time only and is expected to sell out fast.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of delay
Noun
  • While the women are coming in oozing with persona and charisma, there is still a sense of hesitation in trying to mark their territory.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024
  • In new partnerships, there’s often a sense of hesitation as both sides gauge each other’s commitment.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of hesitation
Verb
  • Despite these challenges, the performance must not falter.
    Gary Weinstein, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Prospects of a near-term rebound in the $28-trillion U.S. government bond market are faltering, as Donald Trump’s return to the White House is expected to usher in fiscally expansive policies that could temper the extent of the Federal Reserve's future rate cuts.
    Davide Barbuscia and Lewis Krauskopf, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of falter
Verb
  • The unconscious mind lingers on the problem even after people have used strategies to quiet the fear by pushing it from awareness.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
  • This cough can linger for a month or more, unlike most viral infections that resolve faster.
    Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of linger
Noun
  • The event signals a substantial nod of confidence in Harris from a critical part of the LGBTQ+ community that has historically eyed her with hesitancy.
    Condé Nast, Them, 15 Aug. 2024
  • Many attribute their hesitancy to the perception that physicians are unwilling or unable to help.
    Henry Bair, STAT, 31 July 2024
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • Kate is ambivalent about striving after a level of power, which is possibly the most preposterous detail in a series that isn't overly concerned with authenticity.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
  • For any society, regarding any proposition, the population will spread out on a spectrum: 20 percent will strongly disagree, 70 percent will be more ambivalent, and 10 percent will be in total agreement.
    Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Definition of ambivalent
Verb
  • Cover up on the top half and let transparent details poke out from underneath.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The late-night host also poked fun at a photo of Trump, Elon Musk, RFK Jr., Donald Trump Jr. and House Speaker Mike Johnson eating McDonald’s on his private plane after attending the UFC 309 event on Saturday.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Definition of poke
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Thesaurus Entries Near shilly-shally

shilly-shallies

shilly-shally

shilly-shallying

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Cite this Entry

“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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