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
  • And the resulting panic about disorder was then exploited to enable still more dehumanizing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of panic, Shapero said employers should see their staff’s posts as free advertising.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • If students have nerves about speaking on school grounds, those on the peripheries of campus don’t face the same dilemma.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The idea is to sound like an inferior buck in the brush, one that is roaming around a mature deer’s space and getting on his nerves.
    — Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of nerves
Verb
  • While its lawyers have not hesitated to send cease-and-desist letters to AI companies, Disney is among the big media companies looking for ways to get in the AI game and profit from its boom.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • Save as a collection on MyRecipes Pasta night is always a good idea—especially when dinner comes together with big flavor and minimal fuss.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There’s something classic about a plate of buffalo wings in front of a TV playing football, and this gets you there without any fuss.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • The idea of seeing a total solar eclipse there sent shivers through me.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The country’s steady release of AI models that are open-source, high-performing, and relatively cheap to build and run has been sending shivers through Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of shivers
Verb
  • This week a deal for Volta Infrastructure faltered as investors feeling full-up on data center debt demanded higher yields.
    — Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Even where efforts to build democratic institutions have faltered, as after the Arab Spring, liberal ideas have nonetheless persisted and expanded.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 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
  • Sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, and product buildup can accumulate over time, which is why effective cleansing is an essential part of the scalp’s wellbeing.
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The outerwear, pants, shorts, sweats and T-shirts are created from high-end materials but designed to be classic and quiet.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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