as in delay
failure to do something quickly because you do not want to do it
bureaucrats criticized for foot-dragging on important issues
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Recent Examples of foot-dragging
There is a famed story about Campos, eyeing the boys foot-dragging, taking them out back and teaching them how to march.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Europe could be a natural partner to fill the gap, but the E.U. remains divided and slow in its engagement with Latin America—a fact symbolized by the foot-dragging on the E.U.-Mercosur trade deal, which may finally pass next week.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The mediation session scheduled Monday in downtown Los Angeles stems from an evidentiary hearing that began last month to determine whether the city should be held in contempt for alleged foot-dragging in meeting its obligations under the agreement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Dec. 2025
While progress has been made, the bloc is still impeded by both energy needs and foot-dragging member states.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov. 2025
One reason for the foot-dragging is that the power with Japan’s patriarchy is strong.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
This foot-dragging and embrace of secrecy is unacceptable, and watchdog groups such as TPAF will continue to hold the DOJ accountable.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
But as a result of the administration's foot-dragging, very few have been able to enter, and those who have were successful only after enormous effort.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Europe could be a natural partner to fill the gap, but the E.U. remains divided and slow in its engagement with Latin America—a fact symbolized by the foot-dragging on the E.U.-Mercosur trade deal, which may finally pass next week.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The mediation session scheduled Monday in downtown Los Angeles stems from an evidentiary hearing that began last month to determine whether the city should be held in contempt for alleged foot-dragging in meeting its obligations under the agreement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Dec. 2025
While progress has been made, the bloc is still impeded by both energy needs and foot-dragging member states.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov. 2025
One reason for the foot-dragging is that the power with Japan’s patriarchy is strong.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
This foot-dragging and embrace of secrecy is unacceptable, and watchdog groups such as TPAF will continue to hold the DOJ accountable.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
But as a result of the administration's foot-dragging, very few have been able to enter, and those who have were successful only after enormous effort.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foot-dragging
delay
Noun
-
Should that capacity be limited, with no delay or unpredictability in when a film would move to TVOD and later to SVOD, there is little doubt the theatrical business would be a fraction of its current size by the end of the decade.—
Joseph M. Singer,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The game was the played at the main rink, the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which faced scrutiny over construction delays.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foot-dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foot-dragging. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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