as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
a mysterious, cloaked figure with a strange, dragging walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
the deliveryman dragged the barrels over against the wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
one of the climbers was beginning to drag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawling
to move slowly
the play dragged and seemed to take forever to get to its predictable conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dragging
CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of Gvili’s remains.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
This cardigan-and-striped-tee combo feels especially on trend, while the Frye boots add just enough lift to keep the hems from dragging on the ground.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Jan. 2026
All 254 Texas counties woke up under some form of weather alert as a massive winter storm began its trek across the eastern half of the country, dragging its reach deep into the Lone Star State.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
An agent appears to spray another man in the face before dragging him to the ground.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Here's how to avoid dragging that giant checked bag through cobblestone streets to your hotel.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, the geometry of smooth shapes has advanced much faster, dragging the less developed theory of discrete geometry along behind it.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
The Tambour Convergence, an unusual design that resembles a jump hour but with a dragging hours and minutes display was the hit of last year’s LVMH Watch Week.
—Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of the final hostage.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of Gvili’s remains.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
This cardigan-and-striped-tee combo feels especially on trend, while the Frye boots add just enough lift to keep the hems from dragging on the ground.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Jan. 2026
All 254 Texas counties woke up under some form of weather alert as a massive winter storm began its trek across the eastern half of the country, dragging its reach deep into the Lone Star State.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
An agent appears to spray another man in the face before dragging him to the ground.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Here's how to avoid dragging that giant checked bag through cobblestone streets to your hotel.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, the geometry of smooth shapes has advanced much faster, dragging the less developed theory of discrete geometry along behind it.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
The Tambour Convergence, an unusual design that resembles a jump hour but with a dragging hours and minutes display was the hit of last year’s LVMH Watch Week.
—Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging
Adjective
-
Margot Robbie layered hers up for a leisurely walk in London, using classic staples such as a polo sweater, loose relaxed denim, and Converse high-top sneakers, completing her weekend travel edit.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Challenge yourself to see the views at MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain, traverse the Appalachian Trail, or take a leisurely hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As his career skyrocketed, Chalamet spent years quietly training — aided by an expert on the sport, Diego Schaaf — by pulling a table-tennis setup along to productions ranging from Dune to Wonka.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Notre Dame didn’t mess around in pulling all that material together, looking like a program with a plan before the portal opened.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Persons should consider delaying all travel.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Few things shake the confidence of a person like crawling to the top bunk of a quivering bed frame, your feet wrapping uncomfortably along the frail metal rungs of the ladder.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Soon Carbone was crawling with celebrities.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some folks who were moving a little slow, some folks wanted to dilute the Canadiana or the Big C Canadian of it.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, the process is slow, burdensome, and uncertain.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities said a man from Florida was driving a Volvo semi hauling a trailer, and was following behind the southbound Peterbilt at the time of the crash.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Lindsay Trameri spent a good chunk of Thanksgiving weekend hauling fiberglass insulation pads into the attic of her small home in Irvington.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple royal watchers have claimed the prince has struggled to move beyond the fallout of his dramatic exit from royal life six years ago, citing professional setbacks and lingering personal tensions.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This lingering becomes the sound of a book in a new room, opening, its music carried in a wind that crosses borders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After a short detour, visitors will find some cute photo ops with the beavers and even more Pokémon creeping onto the main trail.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Make the jump to cigarette jeans, also known (less charmingly) as stovepipe or boyfriend jeans, which are slowly but surely creeping into the fashion ecosystem.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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