1
as in lingers
to move or act slowly
if you continue to dawdle, we'll be late for sure
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lazes
to spend time doing nothing
accused the city council of dawdling even as the crime rate was spiraling out of control
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of dawdles
But while the new movie dawdles on its way to Toxie’s origins, then rushes toward a finale with a lurching rhythm that verges on calculated ineptitude, its spirit never feels inauthentic.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawdles
Verb
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Nearly every sound lingers like an unanswered question, and the scant bass drums that appear in most tracks are less for keeping time than providing anchor points in an inestimable nebula.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
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Drought lingers statewide, and Monroe’s water supply is down to about six months, officials said in an online statement Wednesday.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When an airport cancels or delays a flight, that means additional cargo is delayed.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
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This practice erodes programming, delays medical care, and increases fatigue and safety risks for everyone inside federal prisons.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As your car idles, warm air blown from the top of your dashboard will melt the ice on the outside of the windshield.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
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Security camera footage shows a black vehicle park in front of Café Bernardo, a restaurant, and idles for about two minutes.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Game Night actor then sits down in a salon chair and jokingly drags Aniston for her lack of professionalism.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
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Partial government shutdown drags on Meanwhile, a number of other federal agencies are snared in the funding standoff as the government went into a partial shutdown over the weekend.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The notice relaxes the safe harbor in reg.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
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Potassium relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels, helping lower your blood pressure.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
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In the video, the coyote crawls out of the water and struggles to get his footing once on the rocks.—
Amanda Hari,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The proposal rests on the false premise that allowing corporate investors to own and subsequently rent out homes is a major driver of high home prices.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
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Opened last fall, the resort rests where three ecosystems collide—the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin—creating scenery that feels somewhat otherworldly.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Partnerships deserve thoughtfulness as romantic Venus pokes jolly Jupiter, activating your 7th House of Connections and your 12th House of Karma.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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Is every head that pokes in to look at me actually Frank himself?—
Shane Kowalski,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dawdles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawdles. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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