LINGERS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

lingers

verb

present tense third-person singular of linger

as in drags

to move or act slowly since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work

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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 lingers Afternoon highs on Friday are expected to be a much cooler 57 degrees as a 40% chance of rainfall lingers in the area. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026 That rinse-clean standard matters for anyone worried about buildup, since a scalp oil that lingers after washing can leave hair looking greasy rather than nourished. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Rain moves into the metro and southern Minnesota through the morning commute and lingers into the afternoon. — October 15, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The camera often lingers over the actors’ faces, revealing Elinor’s inner turmoil and Marianne’s dramatic heartbreak. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Corduroy’s dusty reputation still lingers, but the material itself has become more supple, richer, and far more sophisticated in recent years. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 If a strange new scent appears or concern lingers, Harvard Health advises talking to a doctor. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 In the scene, Simon’s family speaks Kreyòl — although to varying degrees of proficiency — and the camera lingers on the Haitian feast presented on the table. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Kimmel asked, getting the scoop for the general public, whose curiosity about the wedding still lingers. — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingers

Verb

However, Fed officials fear that the longer the war drags on, the higher the likelihood that the spike will make its way through the broader economy and become embedded in consumer and business expectations.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
As the comet rotates, fresh ice enters the sunlight and sublimates; the escaping gas then drags entrained dust particles away from the nucleus.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of drags

Verb

Even if Illinois delays its natural gas plant closings, the state will need more batteries, and Richardson is rushing to provide them.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
In this scenario, the heart attack now drives the pricing, while the prostate cancer delays the application.

— Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

There’s also a less than 10% chance of showers, if one of the hurricanes crawls farther up the coast, according to Wofford.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Hairy-nosed wombat births are hard to spot, as after about a 30-day pregnancy, the joey crawls into its mother’s pouch.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of crawls

Browse Nearby Words

lingeringly

lingers

lingo

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

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Synonyms of lingers

verb

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