1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
Grandma usually gets in a dither if I don't make my weekly call
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in butterflies
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
we were all in a dither while we waited for the test results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
we dithered all afternoon over whether to go to the park or to the movies and ended up doing neither
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dither
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Noun
Hamlet, famously, vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father—but then he dithers, delays, and generally goes crazy, only killing Claudius at the very end of Shakespeare’s longest play.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, as Biden dithers, GOP nominee Donald Trump is widening his lead both nationally and in all of the battleground states.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 July 2024
Verb
This dithering isn’t helping anyone.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
In 2025, my hope for the world is that governments and institutions will finally stop dithering and focus on solutions that deliver the best returns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
Noun
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Advocacy organizations that defend immigrant rights such as the Rural & Migrant Ministry and the Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network have held workshops to teach immigrants about their legal rights and to discourage them from spreading panic with unverified reports.—
Ana Ley,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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The eight-episode whodunit, from Shonda Rhimes’ production company, Shondaland, is set in the halls of the White House, where the death of one of its East Wing employees during a state dinner party triggers panic.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Marsch didn’t hesitate to call on the 21-year-old to replace Davies in March.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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When asked to reflect on a moment that stands out from his 5-year tenure (2000-2005), AJ didn’t hesitate.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The clip shows the dog making a bee line for his favorite worker and receiving plenty of fuss.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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The next day there was a lot of fuss in the newspapers.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
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But after a flagrant foul by Clark against Reese on Saturday, all the prior talk from each athlete about a lack of a rivalry seemed to falter.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2025
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If trade negotiations falter, these tariffs could take effect, potentially igniting a trade war and unsettling global markets.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Noun
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The interview aftermath sent social media into a tizzy, prompting memes and headlines in reaction to the viral moment.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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The Row sent the fashion world into a tizzy with its $890 jelly mesh flats.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sitting on a towel while in the sauna can also help prevent discoloration caused by body sweat and body oils.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 May 2025
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Chronology is messy, structurally and visually and viscerally, playing with time and space and memory and oozing with bodily fluids — tears, spit, sweat, come, pee, blood, vomit.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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