LAG Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lag' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lag are dally , dawdle , delay , loiter , and procrastinate . While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. // lagging behind in technology

Q: When might 'dally' be a better fit than 'lag'?

Although the words dally and lag have much in common, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. // stop dallying and get to work

Q: When is 'delay' a more appropriate choice than 'lag'?

In some situations, the words delay and lag are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). // we cannot delay any longer

Q: How do 'loiter' and 'dawdle' relate to one another, in the sense of 'lag'?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. // loitered at several store windows // children dawdling on their way home from school

Q: In what contexts can 'procrastinate' take the place of 'lag'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lag , procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. // procrastinates about making decisions

lag 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of lag next

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time we're now in the lag end of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

2 of 3

verb

as in to fade

to lose bodily strength or vigor during the fourth quarter the whole team seemed to lag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to delay

to move or act slowly the tired puppy was lagging behind the rest of the pack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

3 of 3

noun

as in slowdown

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lag different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lag are dally, dawdle, delay, loiter, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When might dally be a better fit than lag?

Although the words dally and lag have much in common, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is delay a more appropriate choice than lag?

In some situations, the words delay and lag are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

How do loiter and dawdle relate to one another, in the sense of lag?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

In what contexts can procrastinate take the place of lag?

While in some cases nearly identical to lag, procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lag

Adjective

With Baja mode activated, the twin-turbo V-6 engages the turbochargers' anti-lag function, and there's negligible delay in the power delivery during the quick on/off throttle sequences common to desert running. —

David Beard, Car and Driver, 20 June 2022 And some more good news for lovers of the distinctive fusillade produced by the original Impreza rally cars: this one keeps anti-lag, injecting fuel into the turbocharger to keep it spinning off-throttle. —

Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022

Verb

These features enlist larger models and require more advanced chips to work at the same time to reduce latency, or lag. —

Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 1 Nov. 2024 Map data is automatically updated by government agencies and could lag real-time events. —

Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

Noun

Testing its input lag with an HDFury Diva HDMI matrix, the Bravia 9 shows a latency of 11 milliseconds. —

PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024 As leases are set in years, there’s a lag between a decision to reduce space or move out. —

James Simms, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lag

Adjective

In its final vote Friday, the board decided in an 8-7 vote to approve the curriculum.

Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Despite its resemblance to past Continentals, the new plug-in hybrid represents one of the final lines in the sand for internal combustion, whose timeline has been pushed into the future.

Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024

Definition of final

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Style

“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lag. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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Last Updated: 2 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of lag

adjective

verb

noun

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