1
as in floppy
not stiff in structure
his broken arm was limp as he held it against his side
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
the limp runners just dropped to the ground after crossing the finish line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation
the team's limp performance has many calling for the head coach's resignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shuffle
to walk while favoring one leg
she limped all day after stubbing her toe on the lawn sprinkler
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
the damaged boat limped back into port
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 limp
City News Service, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
Disregard the packet’s rigid instructions — boiling them for exactly two minutes risks either a limp, lifeless tangle or an unpleasantly chewy bite.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 20 May 2025
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
But he’s looked explosive in drills and hasn’t limped at all.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
Adjective
An apparent dog walker is seen in the video dragging a limp dog with a leash in front of the Priceless Pets no-kill pet rescue.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
Disregard the packet’s rigid instructions — boiling them for exactly two minutes risks either a limp, lifeless tangle or an unpleasantly chewy bite.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
Putin’s assistance is helping the North Korean economy limp along.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
But he’s looked explosive in drills and hasn’t limped at all.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limp
Adjective
-
Paper strips and floppy discs — technology still used by controllers today — have become a talking point on Capitol Hill.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
-
Pair it with oversized sunglasses and a floppy straw hat for a classic beach-ready outfit.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Mowing Lawns Homeowners are usually away on vacation or are probably too tired to maintain their yards.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
But, in Dick’s opinion, Charlie grew tired of baseball’s daily grind.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Gilgeous-Alexander lost steam as the game went on, with his possessions looking more listless.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
It’s been listless this week after unveiling several modest upcoming changes to the software that runs its devices.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
Nicolo Barella would often drop between Stefan de Vrij and right centre-back Matteo Darmian or pull wide outside of Urawa’s defensive block to kickstart Inter’s possession, meaning the Japanese side were comfortable shuffling from side to side with the game in front of them.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
The latest major example of this reliable horror subgenre shuffling (or in this case running) into theaters is 28 Years Later.—
James Grebey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Astronomers studying a distant galaxy cluster stumbled upon ancient radio signals that might hold clues to the formation of the early universe.—
Nick Butler,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
-
After making it around the corner of a nearby Taco Bell, Muller appears to stumble, the footage shows.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Voting had come to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours, with holdout senators huddling for negotiations and taking private meetings off the Senate floor.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
29 June 2025
-
Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging on for hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
After overseeing five issues in a nine-month tenure at the helm, an exhausted Johnson returned to American Medical News full time in 1990, and Chicago Times folded several months later.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
-
The exhausted face of its owner, a tech executive ending another 14-hour workday, tells quite another.—
Pavi Theva,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
And while the unemployment rate remains low, hiring has been weak, leaving those without jobs struggling to find new work.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
-
Total textile and apparel exports declined from $44.4 billion in fiscal year 2022 to $35.8 billion in fiscal year 2024 (ending March 31), due to weak global demand and elevated production costs.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limp. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share