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 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 Okonkwo was fortunate that another bout of dithering, this time as Karamoko Dembele raced through a wide-open Wrexham defence late on, didn’t result in Rangers adding a fourth. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 Kudos for persistence, but slam the leadership dithering. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dithering

Verb

So electric power companies and regulators are cautious, hesitating to construct plants unless future demand is guaranteed.

— Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
Suarez, not hesitating, took advantage and sent his shot soaring.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitating

Verb

The Athletic spoke to those close to Rooney — who did so anonymously to protect relationships — about his transformation from faltering broadcaster to one of the bright points of the national broadcaster’s coverage.

— Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
The boy was burly and had a remarkable strength and energy that stayed throughout his life, only faltering in the very last throes of death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dithering

verb

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