- present participle of dawdle.
dawdling
- hesitant adj.
- hesitating adj.
- slow adj.
- slow-footed adj.
- slow-going adj.
- slow-paced adj.
- tardy adj.
- trailing adj.
- vacillant adj.
- vacillatory adj.
- delay n.
- hesitation n.
- idleness n.
- inactivity n.
- indecisiveness n.
- inertness n.
- inoperativeness n.
- irresoluteness n.
- irresolution n.
- retardation n.
- tentativeness n.
- timidness n.
- to and fro n.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cut a dawdling fight scene here and an interminable escape scene there, and the film would make a delightful in-universe companion to precede next summer’s “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow.”
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
Like, just in case someone’s dawdling, or being careless about where they’re dumping snow.
From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026
Then again, all the bickering, dawdling, and reliably self-preserving ignorance toward the catastrophe nipping at their heels is the point.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2024
After Black Rod — Sarah Clarke — raps three times on the door with her staff, lawmakers make their way to the House of Lords, deliberately dawdling and chatting as they go.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 6, 2023
The young kids openly resented their parents’ dawdling in the Store and Uncle Willie would call them in and spread among them bits of sweet peanut patties that had been broken in shipping.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
