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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dawdles
But Koreeda dawdles over all that without ever finding much dramatic nuance, making for a dullish midsection.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dawdles
Verb
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The sisters have reportedly made efforts to remain active within the royal family, but a sense of distance lingers.
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And even then, that heat would be short-lived if the trough lingers around with cooler air to come.
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.
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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.
Verb
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The deal delays highly technical discussions over the mechanics of unwinding Iran’s nuclear program.
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Lowe said that the government’s statutory inquiry risks becoming another long process that delays accountability, comparing it to other British scandals where official reckoning came only years later.
Verb
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Warm water relaxes the scrotum, which makes the testicles easier to feel.
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The wind relaxes a bit mid-week, but the heat and humidity stay with highs near 90.
Verb
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There’s a sense that Kaprizov depends too much on Zuccarello and that Zuccarello drags Kaprizov into the east-west game that’s the opposite of how the Wild want to play.
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As the search drags on, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners on Tuesday commended police for their efforts after weeks of shooting incidents brought international attention to the city’s gun violence problem as thousands of soccer fans visit for the FIFA World Cup.
Verb
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One soldier’s hand rests on the back of another.
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The decision to continue in the position rests solely on him.
Verb
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Seltz’s system crawls hundreds of millions of pages a day, and returns results in under 200 milliseconds.
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At sunset, the city starts glowing around you while traffic crawls silently below.
Verb
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Cable car rides, riverside strolls, and wildlife sightings add to the experience, while hearty Alpine meals and spa treatments ensure you’re rested, relaxed, and refueled for the next adventure.
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Perfect for anything from coastal getaways and city strolls to casual office days, the Toccin Drew Pleated Wide-leg Trousers make any outfit feel fresh.
Cite this Entry
“Dawdles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dawdles. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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