as in to delay
to move or act slowly
since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of linger
Research shows that lingering negative emotions can significantly reduce decision accuracy.
—
Jennifer Kamara, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
There was a lingering sense of the ’50s in much of his music, especially the earlier songs, with high hopes and good times mingling through a lens of bikinis, surfboards, hot rods and young love.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Because of these lingering gender norms, the barrier for dads to seek support can be high.
—Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
That’s because there will be periods of heavy rain and a mass of lingering unstable and humid air swirling about South Florida.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Jennifer Kamara, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
There was a lingering sense of the ’50s in much of his music, especially the earlier songs, with high hopes and good times mingling through a lens of bikinis, surfboards, hot rods and young love.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Because of these lingering gender norms, the barrier for dads to seek support can be high.
—Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
That’s because there will be periods of heavy rain and a mass of lingering unstable and humid air swirling about South Florida.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for linger
Verb
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President Trump delayed his decision on whether attack Iran for two weeks following a Thursday sighting of Steve Bannon at the White House.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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These actions did not fully block the strait but caused sharp increases in shipping insurance premiums and delayed maritime traffic.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The curious little creatures interact with you (sometimes crawling on your body) while practicing your pose, adding an extra stress-reducing and unforgettable element to your usual yoga routine.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
13 June 2025
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He’s cut off from family and beset by crawling spiders at night, Brindley said.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Cunningham came to the defense of her teammate Clark, retaliating with less than a minute left on the clock after, earlier in the game, the Fever's superstar player was poked in the eye and then knocked to the ground by two separate Sun players.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Sheldon poked Clark in the eye while defending her.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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What were the final few days like? Exhausting and dragging on.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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But by the late 1970s, as negotiations over a treaty dragged on, Congress grew receptive to industry lobbyists seeking legislation that would protect their investments in mining sites beyond U.S. maritime jurisdiction.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
Verb
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His effort and decision-making were rewarded with an assist, as Roldan nodded the ball through the throng of bodies still loitering after the previous free kick to cut the deficit in half in the 75th minute.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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Fights are common, Koffi said, pointing to people who loiter as the main contributor.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Barkov strolled onto the rebound with the nearest Oiler completely unescorted.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
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The surrounding streets are a pleasure to stroll, particularly the wide Corso Italia, where families gather around benches under the trees and couples peruse the boutiques’ window displays.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/linger. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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