as in slow
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the lagging pace of work on the project was worrisome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
during the fourth quarter the whole team seemed to lag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
the tired puppy was lagging behind the rest of the pack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lagging
Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Metrics That Predict, Not Report The lagging nature of HR’s metrics compounds the problem.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Large organizations are lagging behind smaller companies in AI usage per employee, with regulatory and ROI concerns cited as top barriers, according to the report.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The researchers found that six of those indicators are improving but too slowly to meet the Paris goals, and the rest are lagging or moving in the wrong direction.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
While the company had been lagging behind its big tech peers, the stock soared 10% last week following a strong quarterly report that showed substantial growth in the AWS cloud division.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
With heat records being broken year after year, and progress on emissions lagging, even the most radical climate ideas are starting to sound less far-fetched.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Staten Island and the Bronx, meanwhile, are lagging behind.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2025
He was endorsed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the running after lagging in polls and being indicted on corruption charges, which were later dismissed.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
King also said that the Fort Worth school district is lagging behind other large urban districts.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Layer on infrastructure costs, amortization, new storage mandates, refinery retrofits for changing crude blends and the lagging effects of the LCFS credit.
—Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Metrics That Predict, Not Report The lagging nature of HR’s metrics compounds the problem.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Estonian fiction films have been lagging behind quality-wise, and that’s been going on for a while.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Large organizations are lagging behind smaller companies in AI usage per employee, with regulatory and ROI concerns cited as top barriers, according to the report.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The researchers found that six of those indicators are improving but too slowly to meet the Paris goals, and the rest are lagging or moving in the wrong direction.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
While the company had been lagging behind its big tech peers, the stock soared 10% last week following a strong quarterly report that showed substantial growth in the AWS cloud division.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
With heat records being broken year after year, and progress on emissions lagging, even the most radical climate ideas are starting to sound less far-fetched.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Staten Island and the Bronx, meanwhile, are lagging behind.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2025
He was endorsed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the running after lagging in polls and being indicted on corruption charges, which were later dismissed.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
King also said that the Fort Worth school district is lagging behind other large urban districts.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging
Adjective
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Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
-
When visiting the exhibit, plan on taking your time to make the most of it, or what the American Federation of Arts calls slow looking.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Specifically, the official tasting notes detail cedar, nutmeg, and cinnamon on the nose; vanilla extract, butterscotch, and black pepper on the palate; and fading black pepper and some more cinnamon on the finish.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
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When Susana’s fading mind begins to fold past and present into one, the film becomes a meditation on time and the traces family stories leave behind.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In such cases, delaying treatment may worsen the condition.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, there's usually plenty of pleasant autumn days after the first frost to tackle the remaining fall gardening tasks at a more leisurely rate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
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During November, coastal towns transform into quieter versions of themselves, offering a season for birdwatching, leisurely walks, or festivals with good music and food.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The overnight storm was likely triggered by a glancing CME arrival that combined with lingering effects from a high-speed solar wind stream, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Indeed, households, especially low-income ones, still face challenges affording basic goods and services due to lingering high prices.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The procedures listed include breast augmentations, tummy tucks and, yes, facelifts, whether that be mini (short scar) facelifts or full facelifts, both of which address signs of aging like sagging skin, loose jowls and creases.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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The high-tech mask uses a combination of red, red plus infrared, and blue LEDs that help with common skin problems like fine lines, sagging, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Apart from being walking-friendly enough for commuting to and from the office, the relatively comfortable heel also gives your denim, maxidresses, and trousers a little lift, keeping hems from dragging.—
Shelby Ying Hyde,
Glamour,
11 Nov. 2025
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Introducing a 50-year mortgage could help individuals and families facing higher borrowing and homeownership costs, but experts warn that any benefit could be easily outweighed by dragging on payments for 20 years longer than the standard 30-year term.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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