DITHERING Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dithering

verb

present participle of dither

as in hesitating

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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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 dithering In August, when Kiffin was dithering about adding his would-be NFLers, the presidents unanimously (LSU abstained from the vote) approved a new discipline policy for schools that roster NFL, NBA or WNBA players. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 But the finished picture, at 95 minutes, ultimately doesn’t offer enough to justify all that narrative dithering. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 Until that point, Birmingham had looked dangerous, conquering the space vacated by City’s adventurous full-backs (in fact, Oceane Hurtre robbed a dithering Jade Rose on the edge of stoppage time for a consolation goal). — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Besides, the rare earth industry is so cost-intensive that Lynas is even dithering on its new Texas facility despite the hundreds of millions secured from the Department of War. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 Neither of them is going to sit around dithering. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 There was no dithering, just a window of opportunity narrowing by the minute. — Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025 Either technology can show an assortment of issues like banding and dithering patterns in fills, which vary from printer to printer and can even vary from one quality setting to another with the same printer. — PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025 After a decade of dithering by state leaders, voters forced change last November with their landslide approval of Proposition 36, which reversed parts of Proposition 47 and made some theft and drug crimes felonies once more. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dithering

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
But experts have worried that doctors are hesitating to offer treatment without an ironclad diagnosis, which clinicians say can take time and increase risks to the mother.

— Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of hesitating

Verb

European regulators are putting fierce pressure on Tesla regarding potential road safety issues, while faltering US sales are bringing the economic viability of an international rollout into question.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 25 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 faltering

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dithered

dithering

dithers

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

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Synonyms of dithering

verb

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