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
Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Courtside, before a battle, Osaka’s deep colorways and the many translucent but somehow impenetrable layers of the vast floor-dragging skirt work as armor inspiring stone-cold dread in all prospective opponents.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Grant allegedly accelerated, dragging Gonzalez-Martinez into his car.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
With the beginning of this most recent war in March, the Lebanese prime minister banned Hezbollah’s operations, while the president condemned the group for dragging Lebanon into a conflict that most Lebanese rejected.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
Negotiations over a broader agreement are dragging on amid disagreements on several issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 1 June 2026
But state officials have been dragging their feet on implementing the measures.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
While there are assumptions in some quarters that dragging their feet over Slot cost Liverpool a shot at their former midfielder, who was appointed by Chelsea two weeks ago, Alonso was not a serious consideration for Edwards and Hughes.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
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
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Courtside, before a battle, Osaka’s deep colorways and the many translucent but somehow impenetrable layers of the vast floor-dragging skirt work as armor inspiring stone-cold dread in all prospective opponents.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Grant allegedly accelerated, dragging Gonzalez-Martinez into his car.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
With the beginning of this most recent war in March, the Lebanese prime minister banned Hezbollah’s operations, while the president condemned the group for dragging Lebanon into a conflict that most Lebanese rejected.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
Negotiations over a broader agreement are dragging on amid disagreements on several issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 1 June 2026
But state officials have been dragging their feet on implementing the measures.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
While there are assumptions in some quarters that dragging their feet over Slot cost Liverpool a shot at their former midfielder, who was appointed by Chelsea two weeks ago, Alonso was not a serious consideration for Edwards and Hughes.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging
Adjective
-
Jodie Foster steps out after enjoying a leisurely brunch with her wife at Café Cluny in New York City on May 27.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Acceleration is leisurely, however, even for this group of cars.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Some families are pulling back on travel as gas and groceries get more expensive worldwide.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Down 3-0, the notion of the Padres pulling this one out seemed outdated.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 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
-
The Thursday night group was seen leaving about three hours afterward, according to the NYPD, while the second odd circumstance ended after individuals were seen crawling out and leaving in a vehicle more than two and a half hours after.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Toddlers and babies spend their days at floor level, crawling through dust, putting hands and objects in their mouths, and breathing air closer to the ground than anyone else.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 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
-
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
-
May brought news that trucking prices are hauling upward, and fast.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2026
-
Beekeepers began hauling their hives cross-country to pollinate everything from orchard fruits and nuts, to berries, melons, squashes, sunflowers, cotton, clover, alfalfa, and seed crops.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Chartreuse creeping Jenny adds even more contrast.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
-
Yes, the guys, especially the dentist (ick) and the icky bride-shopping commanders are creeping and disturbing.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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