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
Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
As of last April, the state environmental agency was also lagging behind on inspections of polluting facilities, according to the audit.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Netflix has set a big $25 billion stock buyback program as the streaming giant seeks to combat, or take advantage of, a lagging share price and Wall Street concerns around disappointing financial guidance.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Since then, Airbnb has aimed to add more hotel listings to its platform, in addition to integrating ride and excursion-booking services to turnaround its lagging stock, according to Wells Fargo.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
On Monday, former state controller Betty Yee dropped out of the race, citing lagging poll numbers and a lack of resources.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Polymarket has surpassed $2 billion in weekly trading volume for eight consecutive weeks, according to data from Artemis, approaching but typically lagging just behind Kalshi’s weekly volume.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
While the total number of absentee voters will likely tick up to reflect those last-minute returns, early voting is lagging previous spring elections.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
North Carolina currently ranks 50th in the nation in per-student spending and ranked 43rd for teacher pay in 2025, lagging behind neighboring states like South Carolina and Virginia, according to the National Education Association.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 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
Tom Steyer has poured more than $100 million into California’s governor’s race — a staggering sum that’s helping vault him into the top tier after months of lagging in the polls.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
As of last April, the state environmental agency was also lagging behind on inspections of polluting facilities, according to the audit.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Netflix has set a big $25 billion stock buyback program as the streaming giant seeks to combat, or take advantage of, a lagging share price and Wall Street concerns around disappointing financial guidance.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Since then, Airbnb has aimed to add more hotel listings to its platform, in addition to integrating ride and excursion-booking services to turnaround its lagging stock, according to Wells Fargo.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
On Monday, former state controller Betty Yee dropped out of the race, citing lagging poll numbers and a lack of resources.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Polymarket has surpassed $2 billion in weekly trading volume for eight consecutive weeks, according to data from Artemis, approaching but typically lagging just behind Kalshi’s weekly volume.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
While the total number of absentee voters will likely tick up to reflect those last-minute returns, early voting is lagging previous spring elections.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
North Carolina currently ranks 50th in the nation in per-student spending and ranked 43rd for teacher pay in 2025, lagging behind neighboring states like South Carolina and Virginia, according to the National Education Association.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging
Adjective
-
He is limited on passing downs and is more of a slow-burn pocket pusher than a man with a plan.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In some cases, lenders may cover the costs of buydown for you (either partially or in full), if the market is particularly slow.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The cast iron ensures even heat distribution and the enamel iresists fading, chipping, cracking, and staining.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Shapiro-Ikenberry led through most of the first half of the race before fading to seventh.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That is setting batteries up for a dual role as an enabler to putting more green energy on the grid and delaying the phase-out of fossil fuels.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was recently defeated in an election, had accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs — an allegation that Zelenskyy denied.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Director Gay has sculpted a staging that is faithful to a more leisurely 19th-century storytelling style, yet satisfies modern audiences’ constant craving for stimulation.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Evenings brought cocktail hours, nightly presentations about the next day’s destination, and leisurely dinners, followed by time in the lounge.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The impact of those exits could turn out to be the most lasting, potentially weakening the Justice Department for many years to come, several former longterm DOJ lawyers who worked across areas told USA TODAY.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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Moisture can lead to weakening the tree or shrub's protective layer and create an environment for fungal growth, rot, or disease, says Putnam.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But one problem is the lingering perception that blue-collar work isn’t as elite or prestigious as white-collar work.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Rain coverage will be at its peak throughout the morning, with a few lingering showers by the afternoon.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mattress's latex core has a five-zone structure that provides varying levels of firmness tailored to support different areas of your body — with the most enhanced support in the mid-section to prevent your back from curving or sagging.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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But Minnesota’s best defensive strategy against Jokic in past playoff trips has involved sagging off a Denver non-shooter to supply additional help onto the superstar big man.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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