lollygag

verb

ˈlä-lē-ˌgag How to pronounce lollygag (audio)
variants also lallygag
Definition of lollygagnext
as in to delay
to move or act slowly accused the government of lollygagging while survivors of the earthquake continued to live in the most wretched conditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lollygag Knueppel didn’t seem to know how to lollygag through a workout, even one of the early-morning shootarounds where NBA players are just waking up. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lollygag
  1. delay
  2. linger
  3. crawl
  4. drag
  5. poke
  6. dawdle
  7. stroll
Verb
  • The resort delayed its opening by a few days to allow for more snowmaking, and a few intermediate runs will be open beginning tomorrow.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Julie Metea said final results are delayed because of a surge of 34,000 same-day voter registrations Tuesday.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • The result is a thick haze that can linger over the capital and surrounding areas for days.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The results raised long-standing concerns over the quality of work and whether the lingering contamination could present risks to the residents.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • This suspect returns back to his car, retrieves his handgun, walks back over to the victim, who’s trying to crawl away with her life, and executes her.
    — Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s because the moon began to crawl across it about half an hour ago.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • No evidence of foul play was discovered, though the investigation dragged on.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • But with just a step to her other side or a shake of her head on stage, the near-auburn shade moves to the forefront, with dimensional pieces of golden blonde poking through.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In the close-up clip, the Gossip Girl actress’ face is completely covered except for her eyes, nose and lips poking through a white face mask.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • Gvardiol looked jittery early on, rallied a little to break up some dangerous Porto attacks, but then started giving the ball away again and was booked for a needless pull after being caught dawdling in possession.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t dawdle, though, as the air temperature in the room or your warm hand on the glass can transfer their thermal energy to melt the rest of the ice and then begin to raise the temperature of your drink!
    — Matthew Koss, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dawdle
Verb
  • Part of the charm of traveling in New England is waking up in a town that feels plucked right out of a movie, grabbing a latte at the local coffee shop, and strolling down streets filled with homes bearing historic placards.
    — Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Cara Hile and her mother, Jeri, strolled up to a two-story home in Brookside Saturday, pamphlets in-hand.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of stroll

Browse Nearby Words

lolly
lollygag
lollygagged
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Cite this Entry

“Lollygag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lollygag. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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