shilly-shallied
Couldn't decide then
Shilly-shallied is the past tense of shilly-shally, meaning to waste time through indecision or hesitation.
The word itself sounds like wavering—back and forth, unable to commit: She shilly-shallied for weeks before finally accepting the job offer.
It's slightly old-fashioned and often carries a note of impatience with the person dithering.
Showed unsteady resolve
- ditheredWas unable to decide
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- waffledSpoke evasively, indecisively
equivocated · flip-flopped · hemmed and hawed · second-guessed · oscillated · seesawed · teetered · faltered
Postponed action unnecessarily
- dawdledMoved slowly, idly
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
- dalliedIdled or delayed
- lingeredRemained beyond expected
postponed · put off · tarried · loitered · idled · wasted time · killed time · temporized
wavered
Showed unsteady resolve
- ditheredWas unable to decide
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
waffled · equivocated · flip-flopped · hemmed and hawed · second-guessed · oscillated · seesawed · teetered · faltered · wobbled
procrastinated
Postponed action unnecessarily
lingered · postponed · put off · tarried · loitered · idled · wasted time · killed time · temporized · filibustered
shilly-shallieddecided
Reached a conclusion
committed · resolved · determined · took a stand · took the plunge
shilly-shalliedrushed
Done with excessive speed
hurried · hastened · leapt · forged ahead
shilly-shalliedacted
Played a part
moved · took action · proceeded · pressed ahead · forged ahead
hesitate, vacillate, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, shillyshallying