1
as in to delay
to move or act slowly
don't dillydally on the way to the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
restaurant employees who, during the slow periods, would rather be doing something instead of just dillydallying
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dillydally
There was the tapping of the top of the bat to his toes, scribbling in the dirt, adjusting his gloves and swiping his shoulder, among other displays of dillydallying.
—
Anna Brand, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023
Bathroom breaks and other excuses for dillydallying give your heart rate a chance to return to normal.
—Elizabeth Narins, Cosmopolitan, 22 May 2015
Anna Brand, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023
Bathroom breaks and other excuses for dillydallying give your heart rate a chance to return to normal.
—Elizabeth Narins, Cosmopolitan, 22 May 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dillydally
Verb
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The deadline has been pushed several times to provide people more opportunities to get the card, and then subsequently delayed through COVID.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Apr. 2025
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China’s chief antitrust regulator is currently reviewing the BlackRock-Hutchison deal, effectively delaying the transaction before it was expected to be signed on April 2.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But everyone must weigh their options should this trade war linger on.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
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The cool weather is expected to linger in the metro during the first part of next week.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The showers are expected to dawdle in the area before exiting by early afternoon, the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2025
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Now is not the time to dawdle, as certain entries on the list might still sell out by week’s end.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Carrick’s penalty proved costly, as neither Trocheck nor Braden Schneider could muscle Point away from poking a puck past Shesterkin’s pad.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Hector had been poking fun at Lisa’s special interest: Taylor Swift.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Fans were still bummed that he was reassigned to minor-league camp.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2025
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For more on Nintendo Switch 2, check out our Switch 2 game wishlist and learn why we’ll be bummed if Switch 2 lacks these features.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Senators from both sides of the aisle are reigniting efforts to crawl back technology companies’ legal immunities with hopes bipartisan support in Congress could push the bill across the finish line this session and gain the backing of President Trump.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Cleveland-Cliffs — The steel producer declined 1.2% after a report from the Minnesota Star Tribune said Cleveland-Cliffs would temporarily idle two factories, resulting in hundreds of job cuts.—
Hakyung Kim,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
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In court papers, top CFPB officials have said the agency remains committed to meeting its obligations under the law, rejecting arguments that by idling the majority of the agency's staff and canceling the bulk of its contracts, the Trump administration is violating the law.—
Douglas Gillison and Daniel Wiessner,
USA TODAY,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The average is dragged lower by the three most recent economic contractions, which were all atypical.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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How to Train Your Dragon is currently set to arrive in theaters on June 13, 2025, so the wait won’t drag on for too long.—
Michael Savio,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dillydally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dillydally. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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