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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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
  • On 12 Pell’s lively social media accounts, the young, predominantly Asian American barbers don’t hesitate to offer advice to teens and men of all ages and ethnicities with humor, quips and confidence.
    Deepti Hajela, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
  • The challenge winner did not hesitate in telling the group of her decision, which was that Sam and Teeny would square off at fire and have an opportunity to fight for a chance to lose to Rachel at the end.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of hesitate
Verb
  • The flight was delayed nearly two hours by the whole ordeal.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
  • More than 100 flights were delayed and dozens more canceled Thursday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of delay
Noun
  • This rare moment of hesitation from a man who is usually so sure-footed in the recording studio underscores the paradox of Edgar Barrera: a towering figure in Latin music who is most often behind the scenes.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Even after the invasion, the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine was beset by hesitation, needless restrictions, and endless deliberation.
    Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of hesitation
Verb
  • The rally comes as markets in Asia and Europe faltered on lackluster economic data from China and broader uncertainty about the global economic outlook.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Lindner also spoke ahead of Monday's vote, and blamed the coalition's downfall on its inability to come up with solutions to boost the country's faltering economy, which in turn alienated voters.
    H.J. Mai, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of falter
Verb
  • My only quibble with this adaptation is the pacing, which suffers thanks to a few unnecessary backstory additions and a few too many long, lingering shots and pregnant pauses that even mess up the flow of some iconic songs.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
  • There is lingering cold air in the eastern U.S., but it is expected to move out in the coming days.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of linger
Noun
  • Even following such an uplifting and dominant win, Newcastle’s baffling, up-and-down campaign demands such hesitancy.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • While understandable, this hesitancy can hinder innovative solutions to the sector's challenges.
    Seth Darling, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • The first visit by a reigning monarch in 13 years has revived debate in Australia over whether a British royal should be head of state, although polling shows Australians remain ambivalent about becoming a republic.
    Reuters, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Israel and the West were long ambivalent about Assad's fate.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of ambivalent
Verb
  • Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
  • In a video Bunnie XO posted to Instagram on Christmas Day, the couple playfully pokes fun at Bunnie XO’s seeming lack of baking skills.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2024.

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