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
ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
But even before the letter came out, the politically thorny issue that nearly all of the Democrats lagging in the polls are people of color was raised by Becerra at a candidate forum Monday evening.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Strengthening labor laws, increasing the minimum wage and improving social safety nets like unemployment insurance are a few ways the government could step in to address lagging wage growth, Shierholz says.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children's Hospital has begun screening children's literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.
—Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Why the price of gold is so high Gold prices typically rise when the stock market is lagging, as investors seek stability in a metal that largely sits unused in government vaults around the world, including Kentucky's Fort Knox.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has begun screening children’s literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.
—CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
The political polls show that many Republican candidates running for office in the midterm elections this fall are lagging behind their Democratic opponents.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
As the gang leaves the restaurant, Salley and Austen are lagging behind everyone.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 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
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks' call earlier this week for lagging candidates to exit the race was largely ignored.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
But even before the letter came out, the politically thorny issue that nearly all of the Democrats lagging in the polls are people of color was raised by Becerra at a candidate forum Monday evening.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Strengthening labor laws, increasing the minimum wage and improving social safety nets like unemployment insurance are a few ways the government could step in to address lagging wage growth, Shierholz says.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children's Hospital has begun screening children's literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.
—Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Why the price of gold is so high Gold prices typically rise when the stock market is lagging, as investors seek stability in a metal that largely sits unused in government vaults around the world, including Kentucky's Fort Knox.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has begun screening children’s literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.
—CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
The political polls show that many Republican candidates running for office in the midterm elections this fall are lagging behind their Democratic opponents.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
As the gang leaves the restaurant, Salley and Austen are lagging behind everyone.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging
Adjective
-
Council members LaWana Slack-Mayfield, Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo, whose west Charlotte District 3 contains most of the affected part of I-77, pressed the agency on its slow responses to their questions, asked in November, shortly after NCDOT released its maps for the first time.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The jokes and musical bits are amusing but not groundbreaking, and the story is too light and slow to have a real impact.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Produced by Edko Films, and starring Dayo Wong and Sammi Cheng, the film is set in 2012 at a fading hostess nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui East.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2026
-
His return comes at an opportune time, with the Panthers clinging to fading hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs to try to win a third consecutive title and with injuries still hampering the team.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The union is calling for an inflationary increase to wages effective July 1, while Cassellius has proposed delaying inflationary raises until January to save money.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The inspector general accused the department of blocking long-standing access to internal DHS databases used for oversight work, restricting data related to border enforcement and TSA programs, and delaying access to classified intelligence systems.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Craig Chamberlain planned to have a leisurely breakfast with his wife at Los Muertos beach in Puerto Vallarta.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
There’s also a large pool for morning swims or leisurely gatherings.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The arrogance seen in 2010 is now also on display in how Lawson-Remer is making the case for weakening term limits as part of broader changes that would give the board’s Democratic majority (and its union allies) even more clout.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, a 12-person jury was selected Monday, and opening arguments went ahead in the Manhattan federal courthouse Tuesday morning, amid lingering questions about whether it could all be upended by a last-minute deal.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But lingering high prices and cost-of-living issues could become a liability for Republicans in power.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some include increased smoothness, tightness, and hydration, plus reduced wrinkles, inflammation, sagging, and age spots.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Chinese economy remains sluggish, with high youth unemployment, weak housing prices and sagging domestic consumption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Based on the 1928 original, the watch features a solid gold dial with an aperture that displays jumping hours at 12 o’clock and a secondary aperture that shows dragging minutes.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Videos posted to social media taken by witnesses show law enforcement putting people in handcuffs, and some show agents tackling people to the ground and dragging them.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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