foot-dragging
noun
foot-drag·ging
ˈfu̇t-ˌdra-giŋ 
: failure to act with the necessary promptness or vigor
Examples of foot-dragging in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump calls out what is perceived as foot-dragging by Canadian aviation authorities to approve several U.S.-made Gulfstream business jet models so they can also be sold in Canada.
—
Brian Foley, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There is a famed story about Campos, eyeing the boys foot-dragging, taking them out back and teaching them how to march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Europe could be a natural partner to fill the gap, but the E.U. remains divided and slow in its engagement with Latin America—a fact symbolized by the foot-dragging on the E.U.-Mercosur trade deal, which may finally pass next week.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The mediation session scheduled Monday in downtown Los Angeles stems from an evidentiary hearing that began last month to determine whether the city should be held in contempt for alleged foot-dragging in meeting its obligations under the agreement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Dec. 2025
While progress has been made, the bloc is still impeded by both energy needs and foot-dragging member states.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov. 2025
This foot-dragging and embrace of secrecy is unacceptable, and watchdog groups such as TPAF will continue to hold the DOJ accountable.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
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Brian Foley, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There is a famed story about Campos, eyeing the boys foot-dragging, taking them out back and teaching them how to march.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Europe could be a natural partner to fill the gap, but the E.U. remains divided and slow in its engagement with Latin America—a fact symbolized by the foot-dragging on the E.U.-Mercosur trade deal, which may finally pass next week.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The mediation session scheduled Monday in downtown Los Angeles stems from an evidentiary hearing that began last month to determine whether the city should be held in contempt for alleged foot-dragging in meeting its obligations under the agreement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Dec. 2025
While progress has been made, the bloc is still impeded by both energy needs and foot-dragging member states.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov. 2025
This foot-dragging and embrace of secrecy is unacceptable, and watchdog groups such as TPAF will continue to hold the DOJ accountable.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foot-dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foot-dragging. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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