flagging 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of flaggingnext
1
as in sagging

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2
as in weary

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flagging

2 of 4

noun

as in exhaustion

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flagging

3 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of flag
1
as in drooping
to be limp from lack of water or vigor flowers flagging in the summer heat

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2
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor we flagged as we neared the end of the long mountain trail

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flagging

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of flag
as in waving
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture flagged the cars into the other parking lot

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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 flagging
Adjective
Despite concerns that the conflict in the Middle East could further squeeze a flagging labor market, hiring has picked up in recent months following a miserable 2025 that saw fewer than 200,000 job gains. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street’s board noted that the event began in 1989 as Old Tyme Days and was launched by business owners in an effort to boost the flagging downtown area. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Noun
The footnote says that while the locations of some gas lines were marked with painting and flagging, the location of the gas line that was struck by a third-party contractor had not been identified and marked. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 1 July 2026 And how some close to him bristled when asked questions about his authoritarian streak and his departure from organizing, distractions that left the union’s power flagging. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
It’s marketed as a wholesome breakfast staple and a wellness shortcut, yet nutrition experts keep flagging the same problems around sugar and blood glucose. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 Warning signs worth flagging to a doctor include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, severe daytime fatigue, persistent low mood, rapid heart rate and unexplained weight changes. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flagging
  1. wilting
  2. weary
  3. exhaustion
  4. drooping
  5. weakening
  6. waving
  7. tired
  8. limping
Adjective
  • Look for wilting flowers and any blooms forming seed pods at their base.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of wilting
Adjective
  • Democrats are pressing for a House ethics probe and weighing new investments behind union ironworker Brian Poindexter, betting scandal-weary voters in Trump-friendly northeast Ohio may be ready for change.
    — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The latest data suggests that the path to relief for inflation-weary Americans remains uncertain.
    — Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of weary
Noun
  • In fact, the solar eclipse in Leo could shed light on everything from exhaustion and unconscious patterns to hidden resentments.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe, a Turing prize winner, reflected on building early networks and the challenge of digital exhaustion.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Verb
  • How much water hydrangeas actually need varies depending on the species and your soil type; however, plants that look wilted or drooping may be asking for a drink.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 July 2026
  • On June 15, Andy and Ruben’s mom, Chantal, returned home from walking the dog to find their son on the bathroom floor, shaking, with the left side of his face drooping.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • But the horrible jobs data suggests the central bank may have to think about weakening consumer spending as well.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit comes just after Missourians overwhelmingly voted against weakening the initiative petition process.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • With 50 games to go after the deadline, the Tigers insist that trading one of the best pitchers on the planet plus another key part of their top-notch rotation does not constitute waving the white flag.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Fully selling would be waving the white flag and setting up way too much work in the winter.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of waving
Adjective
  • Well, the growing season in the South is a long one, and even the best thrillers get tired, the spillers get leggy, and the fillers sometimes disappear.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Replace Cabinet Hardware New drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, and even hinges can make quite the impact on your tired old kitchen cabinets.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tired
Noun
  • While many symptoms overlap between species, Koehler says dogs commonly develop lethargy, fever, limping, stiff or swollen joints, pale gums, bruising, or abnormal bleeding.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026
  • In recent days, young Knicks fans have been made to digest from their dreary Boomer elders heavy doses of old-timey hoops lore, but mainly about the 1970 title series, featuring Willis Reed’s limping, yet noble appearance in Game Seven, his injured leg shot up with painkillers.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Definition of limping

Browse Nearby Words

flagged
flagging
flagon
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Cite this Entry

“Flagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flagging. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flagging

Nglish: Translation of flagging for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flagging

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