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
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Recent Examples of dragging
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Part of Cantoni’s job is to collect ticks from around the state through a process called dragging.
—Allison Gollenberg, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Last year's Canadian Open was a birdie-fest and ball-knowers, aka golf course nerds, are dragging TPC Toronto, calling it lifeless and uninspiring.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Another sell-off for high-flying artificial-intelligence stocks is dragging Wall Street sharply lower on Tuesday.
—Stan Choe, Fortune, 9 June 2026
With its stock price sliding and its time below $1 a share dragging on, AI Financial and its investors need a lifeline.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The bear bit through flesh and bone, dragging him for about 20 feet before dropping him and running away.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Another dramatic scene from West Virginia showed wind blowing a tent across a lawn, and dragging several people along with it, during a college basketball game between West Virginia University and Cal Poly.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
Tech had a rough Tuesday, dragging the S&P and Nasdaq lower.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Part of Cantoni’s job is to collect ticks from around the state through a process called dragging.
—Allison Gollenberg, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Last year's Canadian Open was a birdie-fest and ball-knowers, aka golf course nerds, are dragging TPC Toronto, calling it lifeless and uninspiring.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Another sell-off for high-flying artificial-intelligence stocks is dragging Wall Street sharply lower on Tuesday.
—Stan Choe, Fortune, 9 June 2026
With its stock price sliding and its time below $1 a share dragging on, AI Financial and its investors need a lifeline.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The bear bit through flesh and bone, dragging him for about 20 feet before dropping him and running away.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Another dramatic scene from West Virginia showed wind blowing a tent across a lawn, and dragging several people along with it, during a college basketball game between West Virginia University and Cal Poly.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging
Adjective
-
The long days of summer feel designed for leisurely train travel, journeys that unfold at an unhurried pace and encourage travelers to settle in and enjoy the passing scenery.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
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For dads who enjoy leisurely rides, local exploration, and timeless design, the Ranger delivers a combination of style and range that is difficult to find at its price point.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
If the plant was root bound in its pot, consider pulling it out of the ground, loosening up the roots so water can penetrate, and replanting it.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
-
The mother of a security guard killed while working at a Deep Ellum nightclub last month has filed a lawsuit against the club and the man accused of pulling the trigger.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Wrigley Field West, aka Coors Field, was crawling with Cubs fans on Tuesday night.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
He was found on Thursday morning, crawling towards Base Camp, and airlifted to Kathmandu, where doctors are treating him for frostbite, severe dehydration and a fractured thigh bone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Recovery of the bodies has been slow because of the chemicals and other hazards present at the site, Amos explained.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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One of the most painful things about this disease is knowing that promising treatments are emerging, but funding barriers and manufacturing and procedural slow-downs continue to derail progress.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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On an island where heroism is embedded in everyday acts of hauling vines up terraces, rebuilding after raids, quietly helping strangers in the night, the label itself feels unnecessary.—
Valentina Di Donato,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Investigators said a big rig traveling westbound was hauling a tank full of water when the driver lost control and crashed into the center divider, causing the tank trailer to separate from the truck and cross into the eastbound lanes.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The one question lingering after the Garrett trade was whether or not his addition would lure Rams great Aaron Donald, 35, out of retirement for one last ride.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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Psychologists have long been interested in why some slights refuse to fade, and how those lingering injuries can settle in — reshaping a person’s thoughts, mood and sense of self over time.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The vote comes as communities around the country debate how to handle increasingly large data centers creeping into populated areas.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
With summer finally creeping into New England, the humidity was high and the rain was occasionally intense.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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