dither 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dithernext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dither

2 of 2

verb

ˈdi-t͟hər How to pronounce dither (audio)
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dither
Noun
Viewers well versed in the ways of romantic fiction won’t be that surprised by how this little pas de quatre works out as Emile dithers and deliberates over each woman’s charms. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 Europe, by Shah's reckoning, has used regulation to dampen digital assets rather than enable them, while the UK once again dithers over which way to jump. — Kjartan Rist, Forbes.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
But phase two of the program kept getting delayed, in part because Congress dithered on funding. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 Sarah Finnane dithered mightily before deciding on this wild wallpaper for the new powder room. — Gary Thompson, Midwest Living, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dither
  1. panic
  2. nerves
  3. hesitate
  4. fuss
  5. shivers
  6. falter
  7. huff
  8. sweat
Noun
  • This week, Indonesian equities experienced another round of panic selling, triggered by reports that major index provider MSCI is considering downgrading the country's stock market status.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The few instances of panic were magnified by newspapers eager to discredit the new medium of radio.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Where most body parts can recover from trauma to some degree, damage to our nerves isn’t granted the same latitude.
    — Mike McRae October 21, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Steven Huefner, deputy director of the Election Law Program at Ohio State University, says poll chaplains might be able to calm the frayed nerves of a voting public that is constantly exposed to divisive rhetoric and news about political violence.
    — Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of nerves
Verb
  • With more than seven million people packed into over 9,000 high-rises, efficiency is key here, and people will judge you for holding up lines, hesitating with your Octopus card, or lingering over your dim sum table while others are waiting.
    — Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • So as facts and circumstances change, taxpayers should not hesitate to notify the IRS to avoid defaults and payment failures.
    — Charles T. Almond III, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • The results are often compared to pricier dedicated mirrorless digital cameras, delivered without the fuss of tweaking exposure or heavy post-processing.
    — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
  • With the film opening in theaters across the US on Friday, audiences now have their turn to see what all the fuss is about.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • The best horror movies for Halloween need to offer something a little richer, that mix of shivers and catharsis that makes this time of year so darned fun.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The idea of seeing a total solar eclipse there sent shivers through me.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of shivers
Verb
  • The Giants hope the more mobile McCarthy can spark a struggling running game that has faltered with Winston at quarterback.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts noted that the brand was bucking trends among Chinese consumers, where most luxury brands have been faltering this quarter.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of falter
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • With Angel playing games, a wig probably would last maybe two or three days, because of sweat, oils and things like that, which doesn’t really work well with the glue.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Betr is giving you a chance to get in on those games with promo code FOXNEWS, giving you $200 in bonus bets and four sweat-free picks to use today.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sweat

Browse Nearby Words

ditching
dither
dithered
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Cite this Entry

“Dither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dither. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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