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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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 Republicans should stop dithering and use the reconciliation process to move through a unified package with only 51 Senate votes. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 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
  • There’s a lot of panic right now about the bumpy intersection of artificial intelligence and art-making.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Unwilling to expose himself in this moment, Paul Baker juggles both of his competing personas, continuing the bro-y shouting but with a new panic in his voice and in Jack Innanen’s expressions.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • There’s predictably a lot of anxiety about the festival at a time when nerves are shot and resources are stretched thin.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Holopirek, a former teacher, admitted some nerves on opening day.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of nerves
Verb
  • Smith hesitated, Davis said, and Anderson grabbed the weapon and opened fire.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • More often, courts hesitate to override a parent who, up until a divorce, has been a child’s primary decision-maker.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • Two players who wanted out had got their wish with minimal fuss, but the same could not be said of Guimaraes.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The time has finally come for Georgia inside linebacker Justin Williams to show what all that recruiting fuss was about.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Speaking to Julia Cunningham on her eponymous podcast, Adams says the moment when Cecile realizes her half-sister is the serial killer (while her mom was a plain ol’ one-off manslaughterer) still gives her the shivers.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
  • Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of shivers
Verb
  • Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This leadership vacuum raises serious questions about the agencies' ability to craft meaningful crypto rules, especially if the Senate's Clarity Act vote falters.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 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
  • My usual deodorant has stopped working, and my sweat suddenly smells different or much stronger than before.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This 45 percent-off unisex sweatshirt is a great outer layer paired with a $13 tank that is both durable and sweat-wicking.
    — Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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