dilatory
in a sentence

They are resorting to every dilatory tactic at their disposal to slow the investigation.
dilatory = slowing

She accused the mayor of having been intentionally dilatory in eliminating corruption.
dilatory = slow

Thank you for sending us Two Figures by a Fountain, and please accept our apologies for this dilatory response. (source) Ian McEwan, Atonement, 2001
dilatory = tardy (late or slow)

The dilatory limousine came rolling up the drive. (source)
dilatory = slow or late

—this, the perfect setting for his dilatory indolence: (source)
dilatory = inclined to waste time

A little girl was driving home her cow, a plodding, dilatory, provoking creature in her behavior, but a valued companion for all that. (source) Sarah Orne Jewett, A White Heron, 1886
dilatory = slow

I am not to blame that the Minister is vacillating, a coward, dense, dilatory, and has all bad qualities. (source) Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, 1869

Oh, these bleak winds and bitter northern skies, and impassable roads, and dilatory country surgeons! (source) Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, 1846

...a merchant or two, at the door of the post-office, together with an editor and a miscellaneous politician, awaiting a dilatory mail; (source)
dilatory = late (delayed)

His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and dilatory correspondent; but at such a time they had hoped for exertion. (source) Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
dilatory = slow

Perhaps Gray himself was there; and the Scotchman cursed his own dilatoriness in waiting till darkness had covered the earth before setting afoot inquiries.† (source)

show 21 more with this conextual meaning

Once the mosquitoes hit, the cow's dilatoriness became almost more than Newt could endure.† (source) Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove, 1985

He always moved with the alertness of a mind which could neither be undecided nor dilatory, but now he seemed more sudden than usual in his disappearance. (source) Jane Austen, Emma, 1815

His letter was soon dispatched; for, though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. (source) Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813

I've got a complaint that makes me a little dilatory.† (source) George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872

He had had full warning of Mr. Flack's intentions, and might have bought the plot before building commenced: but he was apathetic and dilatory.† (source) E.M. Forster, A Room With A View, 1908

Presently we saw three: springing into position confronting them by a daring volt, a third, a dilatory steeple, that of Vieuxvicq, was come to join them.† (source) Marcel Proust, Swann's Way, 1913

It was notorious that any fool could pass the examinations of the Bar Council, and he pursued his studies in a dilatory fashion.† (source)

The leader of the emigrants cast his eyes, understandingly, about him, and examined the place with the keenness of one competent to judge of so nice a question, though in that dilatory and heavy manner, which rarely permitted him to betray precipitation.† (source)

The latter method of obtaining the desired intelligence was dilatory and unsatisfactory; besides, I had an insurmountable aversion to the idea of engaging myself in my loathsome task in my father's house while in habits of familiar intercourse with those I loved.† (source) Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, 1817

The winter, however, was spent cheerfully; and although the spring was uncommonly late, when it came its beauty compensated for its dilatoriness.† (source) Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, 1817

He was dilatorily throwing up a piece of wood into the fire every now and then, a business which seemed to have engaged him a considerable part of the evening, for his face was somewhat weary.† (source)

…the readiness of the house, to which Colonel Brandon, with an eager desire for the accommodation of Elinor, was making considerable improvements; and after waiting some time for their completion, after experiencing, as usual, a thousand disappointments and delays from the unaccountable dilatoriness of the workmen, Elinor, as usual, broke through the first positive resolution of not marrying till every thing was ready, and the ceremony took place in Barton church early in the autumn.† (source)

These Cardinals trifle with me; I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome. (source) William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, 1613

The dilatory process of convening the legislature, or one of its branches, for the purpose of obtaining its sanction to the measure, would frequently be the occasion of letting slip the golden opportunity. (source)
dilatory = slow or causing delay

I listened to its dilatory rustlings, watched the small fluffy clouds float by, and pondered the etiquette of the situation.† (source) Diana Gabaldon, Outlander, 1991

O I have been dilatory and dumb, I should have made my way straight to you long ago, I should have blabb'd nothing but you, I should have chanted nothing but you.† (source) Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855

Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft; And wit depends on dilatory time.† (source)

The dilatory course of a trial at law to recover the taxes imposed on individuals, would neither suit the exigencies of the public nor promote the convenience of the citizens.† (source)

If no such cabal should exist, the mere diversity of views and opinions would alone be sufficient to tincture the exercise of the executive authority with a spirit of habitual feebleness and dilatoriness.† (source)

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dilatoryin a sentence