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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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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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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as in shilly-shallying
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Examples Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shilly-shally
Verb
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Such tools can be game-changers for individuals who, for any number of deeply human reasons, hesitate to seek care.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025 -
But in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal , Warren Buffett’s middle child Howard, who will eventually become Berkshire’s nonexecutive chairman, hesitated when asked about Berkshire’s future dividend policy.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Hours after taking office, Trump signed multiple executive orders, including one action delaying a nationwide ban of the social media platform TikTok.—
Alex Thomas,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
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Tacopina was incensed by the eleventh-hour revelation and asked Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold to delay opening arguments or restart jury selection in light of the new information.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This hesitation is likely due to concerns over potential legal liability if Trump reverses course and enforces the ban afterall.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Does the Trump administration find my hesitation valid and a reason for creating exceptions?—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Her breaking point came during a task that repeatedly pulled the interlocked participants under frigid water: The soggy Sutter faltered when running from the beach with a 30-pound rucksack.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
16 Jan. 2025
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Over the course of the war, ceasefire negotiations have faltered at the eleventh hour on several occasions.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Plan to linger over natural wine and a mix of market-fresh plates as the music slowly shifts, turning the venue into a bit more of a party as the day goes on.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Although some investors were wary (and snobbery toward jukebox musicals still lingered), Swept Away managed to raise $14.5 million from investors.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Participant hesitancy creates a real disadvantage when trying to communicate openly, develop an understanding of a person or situation, or negotiate effectively.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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The timing of their pressing was off because of their hesitancy to press high.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Rasoulof seems ambivalent about the generational conflict between these dark-eyed, handsome people.—
Armond White,
National Review,
22 Jan. 2025
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The president-elect’s allies appear similarly ambivalent.—
Oren Cass,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Timothée Chalamet playfully poked fun at himself during his Saturday Night Live monologue on Jan. 25.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2025
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What to Expect Laser treatments are relatively quick, outpatient procedures that cause minimal pain; some people feel poking or burning sensations.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
23 Jan. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near shilly-shally
Cite this Entry
“Shilly-shally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shilly-shally. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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