dilatory

Adjective

Hard difficulty

Easiest Medium Hardest All words

What does “dilatory” mean?

adjective.slow to act.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in contexts related to procrastination, inefficiency, or delays in decision-making. It emphasizes a deliberate slowness that can lead to negative consequences, distinguishing itself from similar words like "sluggish," which may not imply intentionality.

Common Confusions

Dilatory implies a deliberate slowness in action, while sluggish usually suggests a lack of energy or movement without the connotation of intentional delay.

Do not choose dilatory if the context emphasizes promptness or urgency rather than being slow to act.

Example Sentences

  • His dilatory approach to the project caused repeated delays.

← Back to Words ← Previous: diffident Next: diligent →