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
Peregrine doesn’t use facial recognition, doesn’t create or collect new data, and builds active flagging mechanisms, not passive ones, when data is misused. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 22 June 2026 Despite concerns that the conflict in the Middle East would 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. — Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 18 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
Meta calls the suit an unprecedented cash grab by prosecutors looking to burnish their populist credentials with a public eager to pin the blame for flagging test scores and exploding teen anguish on the wealthy tech titan. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Through continuous data capture and signal labeling, SensorMAX assists aircrews by keeping an eye on the data stream and flagging potential threats. — David Szondy august 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 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
  • And Trump’s priority is to lower costs for inflation-weary consumers ahead of the midterms, just suspending tariffs on imports of up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to bring cheaper foreign meat into the market.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • As competition intensifies, Walmart and Kroger are lowering prices across the board to appeal to inflation-weary, cost-conscious consumers.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of weary
Noun
  • And Software Finder’s survey found that nearly half of workers who fake productivity say the pressure to appear busy has contributed to their burnout or exhaustion.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress that leaves people feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and unable to keep up with ongoing demands.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Verb
  • Petals that are fading, drooping, dropping off, or turning brown are all signs that the flower is reaching the end of its life and is ready to be removed.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Prevent drooping by watering deeply in the morning, improving drainage, and pruning to maintain airflow and plant health.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • Throughout this year, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been weakening the Navy’s leadership by blocking the promotion of nearly 20 admirals.
    — Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Wheat futures hit their highest level in more than three years as the war in Ukraine strained supplies, further weakening the global food system.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • The midfielder was booked for waving an imaginary yellow card, shown a straight red for violent conduct and also gave away a goal.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The last sidebar called by the judge before lunch appeared intense, with Reddington seen waving his hands a few times.
    — NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of waving
Adjective
  • Pinterest says Gen Z and Millennials are putting their own spins on trends rather than copying them, a sign that visible under-eyes and lived-in finishes could outlast the tired girl label itself.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican president looks increasingly tired and running out of steam, has not introduced any major new initiatives and could see the political writing on the wall.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 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 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flagging

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flagging

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