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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

When a 69-year-old doctor refused, security officers forcibly removed him, dragging him down the aisle bloody, concussed, and with a broken nose and missing teeth. — Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026 The clip sees the singer in Hollywood and Paris, dragging a golden skeleton across the city landscapes. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026 That selling pressure intensified on Thursday, dragging the index down sharply. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026 Police said at the time that the ship had been dragging its anchor for hours when it was discovered in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. — Los Angeles Times, 5 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 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

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

The Spurs jumped on Buzelis from the first pass of the second half, crawling up into his space and launching quick doubles that left the wing reeling for the remainder of the game.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Insects crawling around three-compartment sink and hand wash sink in kitchen.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of crawling

Adjective

Increasingly, there are elevated places to stay that preserve the soul of this place, opening in a slow trickle like Valbona Resort and Spa (2024) and SeSam Villas in Theth (2025).

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
The Bears jumped out to a 9-2 lead as USC was slow getting going offensively and committed three quick turnovers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

Pitcher said crews are still hauling large boulders and rockfall more than a week later.

— Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Adapting to the shock of higher prices meant that Crippen, who was hauling merchandise for online retailer Amazon, pushes the limits on the federal rules regarding driving time to increase time behind the wheel and lift earnings.

— Kris B. Mamula, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of hauling

Verb

The results raised long-standing concerns over the quality of work and whether the lingering contamination could present risks to the residents.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
An upper-level low moving overhead could produce a few lingering showers north of I-78, especially in the Poconos and far northern New Jersey, but Philadelphia and most of South Jersey should stay dry.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 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