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
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 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
Gabrielle Coppola, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
The continent is scrambling to build the necessary capacities to defend against drones, highlighting not only its lagging technology but also how rapidly warfare has shifted to the use of unmanned aircraft.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
And while the money (and TV impressions) kept rolling right in, the hunger for on-site experiences didn’t show any sign of lagging.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
While Lawrence is lagging behind its typical budget process, the city isn't missing any state deadlines.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Nike’s finance boss Matthew Friend said the company’s direct-to-consumer business will not return to growth in fiscal 2026, with North America leading recovery and China lagging behind.
—CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
But if those lagging rain bands arrive, some isolated spots could see up to four inches of rain.
—Alex Harris
updated September 28, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The new developments come as the city of Sacramento is lagging behind its housing goals.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
But the savings provided by AI and companies’ ability to generate additional revenue from AI is lagging behind that pace.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 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
Stellantis is temporarily pausing production at eight of its plants in Europe amid lagging demand for models including the Alfa Romeo Tonale sport utility vehicle and the Fiat Panda.
—Gabrielle Coppola, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
The continent is scrambling to build the necessary capacities to defend against drones, highlighting not only its lagging technology but also how rapidly warfare has shifted to the use of unmanned aircraft.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
And while the money (and TV impressions) kept rolling right in, the hunger for on-site experiences didn’t show any sign of lagging.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
While Lawrence is lagging behind its typical budget process, the city isn't missing any state deadlines.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Nike’s finance boss Matthew Friend said the company’s direct-to-consumer business will not return to growth in fiscal 2026, with North America leading recovery and China lagging behind.
—CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
But if those lagging rain bands arrive, some isolated spots could see up to four inches of rain.
—Alex Harris
updated September 28, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The new developments come as the city of Sacramento is lagging behind its housing goals.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
But the savings provided by AI and companies’ ability to generate additional revenue from AI is lagging behind that pace.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging
Adjective
-
The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That combo typically signals bearish pressure is fading and a potential trend shift is forming.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Glitter’s dusty shadow, fading into the lower part of the brow bone, brought out the moody hue on the lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For an extra touch of exclusivity, guests can book private outings on the resort’s 34-foot Hinckley Picnic Boat — ideal for sunset cruises or a leisurely day on the water.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
From here, enjoy a leisurely drive along iconic Skyline Drive, which winds 101 miles along the park’s ridgeline.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the economy is not weakening, but strengthening, the outlook for inflation could tilt higher.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Equal-weight consumer discretionary has been under a bit of pressure, with restaurant and travel names weakening, and is now clearly underperforming the broad market on a one-year basis.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some analysts predict the measures could push Tehran to take a tougher nuclear stance, but the lingering threat of US and Israeli attacks gives Iran’s leaders limited strategic flexibility.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Miss Molly still lives on, lingering at the foot of guest’s bed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Much of the composition is given to the trio of commissioners who, tasked with investigating charges of bias in the trial, upheld the verdict—their faces sagging and stony, their staid officiousness echoing the resolute lines of the courthouse behind them.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The budget negotiations mark the latest step in the city’s financial crisis, which was caused in large part by sagging sales tax revenue and growing expenses.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For Thiago’s second goal midway through the first half, Ouattara ambled back towards his own goal down the centre of the pitch, dragging Shaw and Dorgu with him.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The clip ends with the owner managing to open the door—dragging the golden retriever along with it—as their other pets enter the frame to see them off.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share