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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God or their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
In the way the Valkyries opened camp without dragging last season onto the floor with them.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Some of the latest incidents of accidental or suspected sabotage damage to undersea cables have even simply involved ships dragging their anchors across the seafloor.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Peers Ryanair Holdings Plc and Deutsche Lufthansa AG were also lower, dragging the Stoxx 600 Travel & Leisure sector into the red.
—Ruhell Amin, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
While some Lebanese people support Hezbollah, some also blame the group for dragging them into yet another war.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Community meetings about data centers nationwide are growing chaotic and contentious, with reports of police dragging residents outside and council members being threatened.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God or their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
—CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
In the way the Valkyries opened camp without dragging last season onto the floor with them.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Some of the latest incidents of accidental or suspected sabotage damage to undersea cables have even simply involved ships dragging their anchors across the seafloor.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Peers Ryanair Holdings Plc and Deutsche Lufthansa AG were also lower, dragging the Stoxx 600 Travel & Leisure sector into the red.
—Ruhell Amin, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
While some Lebanese people support Hezbollah, some also blame the group for dragging them into yet another war.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Community meetings about data centers nationwide are growing chaotic and contentious, with reports of police dragging residents outside and council members being threatened.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging
Adjective
-
The Lounge remains a favorite for leisurely breakfasts and afternoon tea.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
If all goes according to plan, its protective heat shield and a sequence of massive parachutes will ensure that the capsule—and the four astronauts inside—will land with a gentle splash in the Pacific Ocean at a leisurely 17 miles per hour.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez was seen on camera sitting behind the boy and pulling his arms behind his back causing his shoulders to flare out, police say.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Last week, the archdiocese accused CPS of abruptly pulling the funding from only Catholic schools before the school year ended, even questioning if the district had mismanaged money and if the district was targeting their religious schools.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For a worker with a $2,200 monthly benefit at full retirement age, living to 85 and delaying from 62 to 70 produces roughly $66,240 more in total lifetime benefits.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As a result, the agency halted balloon launches at some locations and is delaying them elsewhere.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adobe could be crawling its way out of the software stock abyss, after a buyback and an endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revived confidence in the digital media provider.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Sick of crawling through rush-hour traffic along Interstate 84 in Meridian?—
Rose Evans
April 20,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Plane outlets are often slow, loose, or even nonexistent, and when delays stack up, a dead phone becomes a real problem—not just an inconvenience.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
When Manning began teaching in the early 1990s, communication between teachers and parents moved at a slower, more deliberate pace.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Villagers’ days are spent hauling water for themselves and their livestock.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But instead of hauling a trailer, the cargo is one gigantic watermelon, with an adorable tail on the end.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But one problem is the lingering perception that blue-collar work isn’t as elite or prestigious as white-collar work.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Rain coverage will be at its peak throughout the morning, with a few lingering showers by the afternoon.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trailing plants like Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) and common periwinkle (Vinca minor) spill over the edges of the pot, while creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) cover the surface with dense mats.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Clean your garden tools after working with creeping Charlie to prevent spread, Funk adds.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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