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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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 The consumer economy, though, is flagging; pork prices have plunged amid a glut and languid spending, in a microcosm of muted demand in the country. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 31 May 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
Mason has a field day riffing on the absurdities of contemporary academic culture and flagging the divides that separate what are often called coastal elites at the western and eastern edges of the country. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026 Other signs worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during routine brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 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
  • American trade associations, too, found fault with the duty hike, both because of its regressive impact on diversification efforts and its potential impact on inflation-weary American consumers.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
  • There’s something thrilling about standing on the battleground that led to a turning point in the American Civil War, or imagining Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address to war-weary soldiers.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of weary
Noun
  • According to Ferreiro, structured breaks can improve cognitive performance and help reduce the risk of emotional exhaustion.
    — Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026
  • Anger, isolation, and exhaustion are endemic to each tennis era, as much a part of the game as the fuzz on the balls.
    — Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Verb
  • Look for wilting, drooping, discolored, or diseased leaves regularly to keep up the plant’s appearance.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • North says to keep the soil moist and watch for drooping leaves, which indicate your tree needs a drink.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • The Knesset also recently passed several bills connected with Netanyahu’s attempts to overhaul the judiciary, including increasing government control over broadcast media and weakening the role of the attorney general.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • European commitment is weakening, with record Russian LNG purchases and growing pro-Russian political factions.
    — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • The players, who had been standing and waving flags on the top deck, were forced to sit down to clear the obstruction before the double-decker could proceed.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 14 July 2026
  • The audience responded with even more energy, waving their cellphones and lighters in the air.
    — Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of waving
Adjective
  • The brand is winning over tired consumers who already reach for something sweet before bed by combining the comfort of a late-night treat with ingredients designed to support a better sleep routine.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
  • Some get the number of dollars tied to their age (this used to be the case for Ollie and his brother, Owen, until their mom, Rebecca, got tired of them fighting over their disparate payouts) and others much more.
    — Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026
Definition of tired
Noun
  • 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
  • Carter did not look good limping off the practice field.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 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 18 Jul. 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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