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
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
So while America is most likely still a highly desirable place for all kinds of investors, from the average person putting money into a 401(k) to a professional trader, the lagging performance this year is more than your typical year.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025
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
Reporting is inconsistent and lagging.
—Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Africa’s private capital industry outperforms global peers in gender representation, but larger companies are lagging in efforts to boost female leadership, a new report argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
This is especially crucial as Wall Street’s concerns over Apple’s lagging AI rollout weighed on sentiment last year, causing the stock to underperform other Big Tech names.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
International developed and emerging markets surprised many with +30% returns, finally breaking a long streak of lagging behind the United States.
—David Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The state health department says that holiday activities — including school breaks, gatherings and travel — have contributed to the spread of the outbreak, particularly in areas with lagging vaccination rates.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
However, federal data shows vaccination rates have been lagging in recent years.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
That leaves her school in need of more realistic solutions for another season of lagging attendance for what’s supposed to be its marquee sport.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The others are lagging behind, still treating global cinema as supplemental rather than central.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The lagging percentage of women film directors last year is a clear sign that the industry is going backward, said Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive of WIF, which advocates for women in Hollywood.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
So while America is most likely still a highly desirable place for all kinds of investors, from the average person putting money into a 401(k) to a professional trader, the lagging performance this year is more than your typical year.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025
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
Reporting is inconsistent and lagging.
—Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
The Readiness Gap Despite near-universal AI adoption, readiness is lagging.
—CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Africa’s private capital industry outperforms global peers in gender representation, but larger companies are lagging in efforts to boost female leadership, a new report argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
This is especially crucial as Wall Street’s concerns over Apple’s lagging AI rollout weighed on sentiment last year, causing the stock to underperform other Big Tech names.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
International developed and emerging markets surprised many with +30% returns, finally breaking a long streak of lagging behind the United States.
—David Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The state health department says that holiday activities — including school breaks, gatherings and travel — have contributed to the spread of the outbreak, particularly in areas with lagging vaccination rates.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
However, federal data shows vaccination rates have been lagging in recent years.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
That leaves her school in need of more realistic solutions for another season of lagging attendance for what’s supposed to be its marquee sport.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The others are lagging behind, still treating global cinema as supplemental rather than central.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging
Adjective
-
The Commission, the EU’s executive arm, has decided that the pace of EV sales is far too slow and has proposed a new category of small and seriously affordable cars.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
States and cities that have loosened building constraints are already seeing slower rent growth compared to heavily regulated markets.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But her role as fading movie star Kay Stone in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, opposite Timothée Chalamet, marks her grand return.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The days of underground stashes and whispered conversations are fading fast.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Notably, employers may also inform applicants upfront when specific convictions would disqualify them under law or company policy, preserving transparency while delaying individualized screening.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Margot Robbie layered hers up for a leisurely walk in London, using classic staples such as a polo sweater, loose relaxed denim, and Converse high-top sneakers, completing her weekend travel edit.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Challenge yourself to see the views at MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain, traverse the Appalachian Trail, or take a leisurely hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fabric softener coats towel fibers, reducing absorbency and causing stiffness, lingering odors, and residue buildup.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
-
All of these little rituals, Chen says, give you a chance to process tension as a team while preventing lingering family stress from driving a wedge between you and your partner.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shoulders sagging, Charleigh set the wooden spoon down, steeling herself.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
-
If your bench cushion sits on webbing or springs, worn support underneath can contribute to sagging even if the cushion itself is in good condition.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Traditionally, the geometry of smooth shapes has advanced much faster, dragging the less developed theory of discrete geometry along behind it.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The Center for Coastal Studies said a Plymouth, Massachusetts resident who was watching whales through a spotting scope on Saturday alerted them that a whale was dragging a buoy.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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