taking one's time

phrase

present participle of take one's time
as in delaying
to move or act slowly The students were advised to take their time on the test and not to rush.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking one's time
  1. falling behind
  2. marking time
Phrase
  • Shifts in culture affected the appetite for all of this, and Victoria’s Secret went from being on top of the world to falling behind conversations about inclusivity and body positivity.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Castillo’s game-winning 28-yard touchdown run capped off a Brackenridge comeback in which the Eagles scored 21 unanswered points after falling behind 14-0 in the third quarter.
    — David DeKunder, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of falling behind
Phrase
  • All the same, Adelaide believed in the importance of marking time.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The moon represents creation and destruction, rebirth, eternity, the feminine, time, marking time, mystery, the night, and secrets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of marking time
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.

Browse Nearby Words

taking on
taking one's time
taking out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taking one's time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20one%27s%20time. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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