Synonyms of loiter

loiter

verb

ˈlȯi-tər 

as in to linger

to move or act slowly

don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linger
• delay
• crawl
• poke
• drag
• stroll
• dawdle
• creep
• mope
• play
• lollygag
• tarry
• lag
• fall behind
• diddle
• mark time
• stall
• idle
• shuffle
• drop behind
• lounge
• lallygag
• hang fire
• stagger
• saunter
• dillydally
• shilly-shally
• dally
• amble
• drag one's heels
• take one's time
• trifle
• drag one's feet
• loll
• fool around
• fiddle (around)
• hang (around or out)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• decelerate
• monkey (around)
• loaf
• plod
• mess around
• slow (down or up)
• procrastinate
• temporize
• inch
• ease
• lumber
• filibuster

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fly
• hurry
• scurry
• course
• hasten
• rush
• run
• race
• scoot
• speed
• tear
• career
• rip
• rocket
• whirl
• whisk
• dash
• breeze
• dart
• zip
• bolt
• hustle
• run
• barrel
• scramble
• hurtle
• jog
• hump
• scud
• whizz
• gallop
• trot
• whiz
• accelerate
• stampede
• sprint
• hotfoot (it)
• quicken
• speed (up)
• overtake
• bowl
• outrun
• outstrip
• catch up
• outpace
• fast-forward

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of loiter are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," 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

When might dally be a better fit than loiter?

The words dally and loiter can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is it sensible to use delay instead of loiter?

The meanings of delay and loiter largely overlap; however, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of loiter?

While the synonyms lag and loiter are close in meaning, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When is procrastinate a more appropriate choice than loiter?

The words procrastinate and loiter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loiter

From loitering munitions used by Azerbaijan in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Turkish Bayraktar drones sold worldwide, unmanned platforms are reshaping airpower strategies. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025

In the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, for example, Azerbaijan used a network of Bayraktar TB2 drones, loitering munitions, and real-time targeting data to devastating effect against Armenian forces. —David A. Deptula, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2025

There are always people loitering outside, the logo with the red awning is hard to ignore, and the smell of their bagels pumping through the block is intoxicating. —Eddie Huang, Curbed, 31 July 2025

Meanwhile, Estrada was soon identified as a suspect, based on surveillance footage, eyewitnesses, and community accounts that she was known to be living in a white van on the street and would frequently loiter at the building. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 July 2025