limp 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of limpnext
1
as in floppy
not stiff in structure his broken arm was limp as he held it against his side

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2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness the limp runners just dropped to the ground after crossing the finish line

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3
as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation the team's limp performance has many calling for the head coach's resignation

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limp

2 of 2

verb

ˈlimp How to pronounce limp (audio)
1
as in to shuffle
to walk while favoring one leg she limped all day after stubbing her toe on the lawn sprinkler

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2
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually the damaged boat limped back into port

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3
as in to drag
to move slowly we'll have to stop limping if we are ever going to make our destination in time

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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 limp
Adjective
The quinoa and lentils give it real staying power, the kale holds its texture instead of going limp, and the feta and figs trade salty for sweet in every forkful. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 25 Oct. 2026 Plus, trapping steam beneath the foil can cause crispy skin to go limp. — Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
In the Lone Star State, Vanity Fair finds a crucial Senate campaign limping toward the finish line. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026 Willis Reed once limped onto the court to help win an NBA championship. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for limp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limp
  1. floppy
  2. tired
  3. listless
  4. shuffle
  5. stumble
  6. drag
  7. exhausted
  8. weak
Adjective
  • After just a few generations, the foxes began to look and act more domesticated, with floppy ears, curly tails and an eagerness for human attention and love.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The floppy chains bend and stretch to reach nearby partners as opposite charges attract.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of floppy
Adjective
  • On Housewives, story lines grow tired and repetitive, and attempts to shake up the dynamics inevitably fall flat as the show reverts back to a familiar staleness.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Even Trump’s biggest supporters are growing tired of the high prices that his war has caused.
    — Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Schumer, who has steered Senate Democrats since 2017, became liberals’ favorite punching bag this cycle, an avatar of everything wrong with a listless Democratic Party.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of being a workspace designed to meet production goals, Bureau was a display of time spent thinking, both listless and constructive, rather than a final result.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of listless
Verb
  • Findings of no effect tend to either be shuffled off to low-profile journals or left behind as unpublished lab lore.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
  • For the most part, this was a second consecutive solid performance by a group that will likely undergo major personnel shuffling all season.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • The last chance for the Mountaineers ended when Hawkins stumbled and fell in the end zone for a safety in the final two minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • For seven games, Myles Garrett could only watch the Rams from a stadium suite, on television or from the sideline as the team favored to win the Super Bowl stumbled to a slow start.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stumble
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
Adjective
  • McCarthy claimed the condition had compromised her body's ability to fight infections, leaving her physically and emotionally exhausted.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • After advancing to the Elite Eight last season for the first time under Ivey, the Irish lost their top six scorers behind Hidalgo, all but one to exhausted eligibility or professional basketball.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausted
Adjective
  • Trump was implying Ukraine was in a weak negotiating position and did not have the military resources to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of weak

Browse Nearby Words

limousines
limp
limped
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Cite this Entry

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

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