as in residual
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The area is still feeling the lingering effects of the hurricane. There are lingering questions about the extent of his involvement in the crime.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lingering
Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Miss Molly still lives on, lingering at the foot of guest’s bed.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
That trust between them allowed Chisholm to play freely on Wednesday, knowing there was no lingering tension.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
However, a lingering injury kept him out for the next game, effectively ending any chances of him winning the backup job.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Violet Affleck, the eldest daughter of A-listers Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, is sounding the alarm on the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Repressed and lingering scars from childhood can certainly cause pain for entire communities and be a catalyst for terrible and reprehensible behaviors.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
That would leave Kuminga in a precarious position with little control of his future and lingering doubts about his role under coach Steve Kerr.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Beneath the surface, though, are lingering issues.
—Peter J. Frank, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some analysts predict the measures could push Tehran to take a tougher nuclear stance, but the lingering threat of US and Israeli attacks gives Iran’s leaders limited strategic flexibility.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Miss Molly still lives on, lingering at the foot of guest’s bed.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
That trust between them allowed Chisholm to play freely on Wednesday, knowing there was no lingering tension.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
However, a lingering injury kept him out for the next game, effectively ending any chances of him winning the backup job.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Violet Affleck, the eldest daughter of A-listers Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, is sounding the alarm on the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Repressed and lingering scars from childhood can certainly cause pain for entire communities and be a catalyst for terrible and reprehensible behaviors.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
That would leave Kuminga in a precarious position with little control of his future and lingering doubts about his role under coach Steve Kerr.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Beneath the surface, though, are lingering issues.
—Peter J. Frank, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
Seal cracks and entry points, apply residual insecticide before sealing and install door sweeps, weather-stripping and vent screens.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
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But the residual effect was a notable hit on the team’s salary cap, which limited Guerin’s ability to make moves the past several years.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
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Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Prolonged, unprotected exposure to the high noise levels of a leaf vacuum can cause lasting hearing loss.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The post also highlighted White's remarkable ability to make a lasting impact on others.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first meetup drew dozens of participants poking at pudding cups together.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For Thiago’s second goal midway through the first half, Ouattara ambled back towards his own goal down the centre of the pitch, dragging Shaw and Dorgu with him.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The clip ends with the owner managing to open the door—dragging the golden retriever along with it—as their other pets enter the frame to see them off.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For a child who’s crawling or walking, a mat with pop-up walls or fencing can keep your little one safe and contained.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Waking up an hour earlier than expected and being hosed with mountain runoff water while crawling in the pool tested my resilience and determination.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest forecast shows Imelda creeping along Florida’s coast for the next few days — a slowdown from Saturday’s forecast.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
-
First, during this same time, genre elements, and specifically dark speculative elements, were creeping into all fiction.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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