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

The Case for Reusable Loitering Munitions While loitering munitions will likely be core assets in future conflicts, Teledyne-FLIR argues these systems should also be recoverable and reusable. —Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Ironically, the cops pulled up and wondered why this person was loitering outside an apartment. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 2 May 2025

According to the redacted Gang Field Interview Sheet, Prince George’s County Police officers responded to the Home Depot and found four men loitering in the parking lot and detained them for questioning. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

As a result, Russia has increasingly turned to loitering munitions in its strategic bombing campaigns. —Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025