shillyshallying
Can't decide anything
Shillyshallying is indecisive dawdling—wavering between options instead of committing to action.
The word suggests irritating hesitation over matters that shouldn't require so much deliberation: Enough shillyshallying—just pick a restaurant.
Someone who shillyshallies wastes time dithering when decisiveness is called for.
Waver between choices
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- ditherNervous inability to choose
- hem and hawSpeak evasively, delay deciding
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
irresolute · undecided · wishy-washy · flip-flop · ambivalent · noncommittal · teeter · fence-sitting
Delay action unnecessarily
- dawdleLinger without purpose
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- dallyLoiter without purpose
- tarryDelay one's leaving
drag feet · put off · postpone · temporize · linger · loiter · lag · footdragging
Lacking resolve or nerve
- meekHumbly unassertive
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- weak-kneedLacking resolve or courage
- timorousShowing nervous apprehension
gutless · lily-livered · pusillanimous · cowardly · craven · milquetoast · fainthearted · unassertive
vacillate
Waver between choices
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- ditherNervous inability to choose
- hem and hawSpeak evasively, delay deciding
equivocate · irresolute · undecided · wishy-washy · flip-flop · ambivalent · noncommittal · teeter · fence-sitting · wavering
procrastinate
Delay action unnecessarily
tarry · drag feet · put off · postpone · temporize · linger · loiter · lag · footdragging · defer
faint-hearted
Lacking resolve or nerve
- meekHumbly unassertive
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- weak-kneedLacking resolve or courage
timorous · gutless · lily-livered · pusillanimous · cowardly · craven · milquetoast · fainthearted · unassertive · shrinking
shillyshallyingdeciding
Making a choice
resolving · committing · decisiveness · determination · resolve
shillyshallyingacting
Temporarily holding position
decisive action · taking action · doing · forging ahead · moving forward
shilly-shallied, shilling, shallower, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying