DRAGGING Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

dragging 1 of 2

adjective

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed a mysterious, cloaked figure with a strange, dragging walk

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dragging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of drag

as in pulling

to cause to follow by applying steady force on the deliveryman dragged the barrels over against the wall

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as in delaying

to move or act slowly one of the climbers was beginning to drag

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as in crawling

to move slowly the play dragged and seemed to take forever to get to its predictable conclusion

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dragging

Verb

Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026 After years of dragging friends through intense physical activities—zip-lining, gymnastics, pole, and even aerial skills—a game show felt like a lighter option, something everyone could enjoy. — Chanté Joseph, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026 The latest profit reports from Alphabet and other Big Tech companies also showed how AI may be dragging on their own businesses. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 The bat was still alive, dragging itself along the cage bottom in a manner that seemed to signal some new level of defeat. — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026 The costume appeared to pay homage to the viral 2015 video of a rat dragging a slice of pizza down the stairs of a New York City subway station. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2026 Gravity is a cruel mistress, slowly dragging the famed telescope ever closer to its ultimate demise with every day. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 1 Nov. 2026 Without adequate calf muscle strength, the calf muscles can fatigue quickly, leading to foot dragging or tripping. — Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2026 Most damage to the undersea cables that form the Internet’s backbone is the result of accidents involving bottom-trawling fishing nets and ship anchors dragging on the seabed, with storms and undersea landslides also factoring in. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging

Adjective

Guests also have access to a sunny terrace and a shared pool, ideal for leisurely afternoons.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
But for me the wow factor started weeks out with a leisurely but extremely detailed call with a kindly staffer who took down all of our details.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

The first daily chart, going back to July, shows PJP rallying through the summer, topping in late August, and pulling back into October before advancing again.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
With a tighter opening, the octopus added a step, pulling the remaining arms through before squeezing its head and mantle through separately.

— Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of pulling

Verb

Californians have kept our end of that bargain, but insurance companies have broken their side of the promise by denying, delaying and underpaying valid claims and dropping coverage.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The tool has been blamed by doctors and patients for delaying necessary care.

— Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of delaying

Verb

Insects crawling around three-compartment sink and hand wash sink in kitchen.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Pack a blackout sleep mask just in case There’s nothing worse than finally crawling into your hotel bed after a long travel day, only to discover that the curtains don’t fully close and a streetlight is shining directly onto your pillow.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of crawling

Adjective

Stuttering drum patterns and elastic basslines rub up against glossy keyboards and slow piano chords, blending early 2000s sounds with the futuristic sensuality of Kelela.

— Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
On the earnings growth front, while emerging markets on average are expected to deliver a 45% improvement, India's forecast is much slower at 11%, as per Bernstein.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

Dyed diesel is intended for off-road use, such as powering tractors and harvesters, while regular diesel is used in vehicles that travel on public roads, including trucks hauling agricultural goods.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Because few electric trucks are already hauling cargo on the roads, insurance prices are often high.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hauling

Verb

Much like on Baby Keem’s Ca$ino, another recent rap epic undone by its author’s inability to overcome lingering trauma, BigX can’t always navigate around his unnamed haters.

— Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
How relaxing and indulgent, wrapped in a plush bathrobe, lingering over lobster bisque, juicy steak and a bottle of red wine.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

Eisenkot is viewed by supporters as a capable leader with sterling security credentials who, along with his likely governing partners, could act as a bulwark against creeping illiberalism.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Gusts of more than 60 mph are possible in parts of the Outer Banks with 40 to 50 mph gusts creeping toward the Interstate 95 corridor in North Carolina and southern Virginia.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026