lag 1 of 3

lag

2 of 3

verb

lag

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lag different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lag are dally, dawdle, delay, loiter, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When might dally be a better fit than lag?

Although the words dally and lag have much in common, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is delay a more appropriate choice than lag?

In some situations, the words delay and lag are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

How do loiter and dawdle relate to one another, in the sense of lag?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows
children dawdling on their way home from school

In what contexts can procrastinate take the place of lag?

While in some cases nearly identical to lag, procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

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 lag
Adjective
Faster speeds allow more devices to connect and reduce lag during peak usage. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 Lots of people have been feeling the strain of rising grocery costs as wage increases on average lag behind, according to Larson. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Faster speeds mean less lag and smoother use for multiple devices. Kara McGinley, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025 And some more good news for lovers of the distinctive fusillade produced by the original Impreza rally cars: this one keeps anti-lag, injecting fuel into the turbocharger to keep it spinning off-throttle. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022
Noun
Every year, the BLS seeks to provide a near-complete employment count by squaring past jobs data from business surveys (more timely but not as accurate) with comprehensive unemployment insurance quarterly tax filings (highly accurate but significantly lagged in timing). Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 Every year, one of Apple’s models tends to lag its siblings in terms of sales, according to analysts. Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lag
Adjective
  • After defeating the Twins, the Royals remained just a game behind the Seattle Mariners (74-68) for the third and final wild-card spot.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The moratorium provision was ultimately stripped from the bill before final passage.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • As the sun set over the East River, the music faded but the warmth lingered.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investors are betting the slowdown will force the Fed’s hand.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Friday report found that employers added just 22,000 jobs the month of August, continuing a slowdown in hiring.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • The Fed reduces rates to bolster a sagging economy and raises rates or keeps them higher for longer to curb inflation.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Other issues with rotting, sagging and deterioration were present in other buildings, according to the inspections.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is not about dragging NATO into war.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After being struck from behind, he was dragged to the ground and mauled him, with other lions joined in, per Khaosod English.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That hesitation quickly fled when the mask began to dry and tighten on the skin.
    Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
  • So is the hesitation, the concern for consequence, and the mid-match questioning of how she is supposed to play.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lag. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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