limp 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of limpnext
1
as in floppy
not stiff in structure his broken arm was limp as he held it against his side

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2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness the limp runners just dropped to the ground after crossing the finish line

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3
as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation the team's limp performance has many calling for the head coach's resignation

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limp

2 of 2

verb

ˈlimp How to pronounce limp (audio)
1
as in to shuffle
to walk while favoring one leg she limped all day after stubbing her toe on the lawn sprinkler

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2
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually the damaged boat limped back into port

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3
as in to drag
to move slowly we'll have to stop limping if we are ever going to make our destination in time

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Example 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 limp
Adjective
If all else fails, go limp and curl up into the fetal position, protecting your head and core with your arms and legs. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026 Asparagus Steamed asparagus can quickly become limp and overcooked. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Then came Week 2, when Brooks took his final snap in the second half and limped to the locker room, towel over his head, and proceeded to watch the rest of the game on the sidelines. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 Doyle, who limped through a medical career before turning to a life of crime fiction at the age of twenty-seven, had studied under Bell in the late 1870s, marveling at the doctor’s careful reasoning and indefatigable intuition. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for limp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limp
  1. floppy
  2. tired
  3. listless
  4. shuffle
  5. stumble
  6. drag
  7. exhausted
  8. weak
Adjective
  • There’s a real zing to the sauce au poivre, which is mahogany-dark and sticky with demi-glace, and a cozy depth to the paccheri, floppy cylinders of pasta in a cream sauce with kale and sausage.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • There is of course another way to hear ABBA songs sung live onstage, though sadly without Greek island backdrops or background singers wearing floppy swim fins.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of floppy
Adjective
  • Even more popular when, instead of a tired old video tribute — hats off to the Jackets for reading the room on this one — the arena cameras went straight to Marchenko during the next stoppage.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The Chargers, meantime, opened with three losses for the first time since 2017, and feature a listless, sputtering offense that lacks finish under first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • In her final years, disappointed visitors reportedly threw sand into her cage to try to make the listless bird move, as author Joel Greenberg recounted to National Geographic.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of listless
Verb
  • Offensive line shuffled up Dykes said in earlier in the week that TCU looked at everything throughout the program during the 2-3 start and would make the necessary adjustments to try and turn things around.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Uribe shuffled off the mound, and the crowd at American Family Field roared.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Resendiz finished strongly, sending Mazoudier stumbling backward in the final minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two longtime spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Season 2 picks up from where things left off, with Michael and Diana having barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo’s death.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesman denied Britain was being dragged in to the conflict.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of drag
Adjective
  • The buck, tongue lolling, looked exhausted from chasing and breeding his doe.
    — Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If a year in, the founder is still in every meeting and the new hire is the most exhausted person in the building, the company did not hire an operator.
    — Ken Paskins, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausted
Adjective
  • Studies have shown that countries with stronger IP systems tend to be more innovative, while weaker IP systems may stifle innovation.
    — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Are scientists hindered by a weak grasp of the physics driving GRBs?
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak

Browse Nearby Words

limousines
limp
limped
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Cite this Entry

“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limp. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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