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
-
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
-
And while maybe one finds some sort of connection there at some point, neither feels like a real lasting solution.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Her ability to build a lasting legacy as the nation’s leader will depend less on her ability to further the position of women than on her capacity to restore the fortunes of a ruling party in disarray after decades of dominance in postwar Japan.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first meetup drew dozens of participants poking at pudding cups together.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
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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
-
The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Last week in Chicago, federal agents descended in a Blackhawk to clear out an entire apt complex, dragging children out of their beds and zip-tying residents for hours without articulating any probable cause.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And there's these little worms crawling around.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This cute crawling crab toy is 44% off and is the perfect toy for encouraging movement and exploration.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Not even creeping death could quash the rock star within.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Starring Dakota Johnson as an aspiring dancer who unwittingly finds herself surrounded by witches at an elite Berlin dance school, Guadagnino’s take is less Italian giallo and more an exercise in slowly creeping dread.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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