1
as in shuffles
to walk while favoring one leg
she limped all day after stubbing her toe on the lawn sprinkler
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stumbles
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
the damaged boat limped back into port
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drags
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
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Recent Examples of limps
Falsehood scales instantly; correction limps behind.
—
Tom Debley, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Every time one player returns to the court, another limps off.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
After the midterm elections are over, the focus gradually shifts to the next presidential election, and the incumbent president increasingly limps like a lame duck.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Aside from creating the maze and covering it in snow, Pawbert limps his way through the maze, very much in homage to Jack Nicholson’s character.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Nov. 2025
Tymere Jackson suffers a blow to his groin, and limps off the field.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
When there is much spectacle, substance limps behind, and that must be the judgement of what was achieved between India and China at Tianjin.
—Shyam Saran, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Nashville limps into the playoffs having just lost one of its top players to injury/retirement in Michelle Esquivel, while California netted a premier-level player in Martin Emmrich at the trade deadline, who seems to have energized the Black Bears heading into the playoffs.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Tom Debley, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Every time one player returns to the court, another limps off.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
After the midterm elections are over, the focus gradually shifts to the next presidential election, and the incumbent president increasingly limps like a lame duck.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Aside from creating the maze and covering it in snow, Pawbert limps his way through the maze, very much in homage to Jack Nicholson’s character.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Nov. 2025
Tymere Jackson suffers a blow to his groin, and limps off the field.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
When there is much spectacle, substance limps behind, and that must be the judgement of what was achieved between India and China at Tianjin.
—Shyam Saran, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Nashville limps into the playoffs having just lost one of its top players to injury/retirement in Michelle Esquivel, while California netted a premier-level player in Martin Emmrich at the trade deadline, who seems to have energized the Black Bears heading into the playoffs.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limps
Verb
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Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The man watches the train tracks, and as the train comes into view in the video, the man then pushes the victim, who stumbles forward.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Lakers are unlikely to catch either of those two teams, unless one stumbles and the Lakers keep winning.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the war drags on, Americans are growing pessimistic about the economy, according to some surveys and polls.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Major marine war risk providers have started to scrap cover for vessels operating in the Persian Gulf as the fallout from a sudden security shock hobbles key shipping routes in the region.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
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Carolyn switches her nail color from a bold red to a blander shade; John hobbles out of his George magazine office wearing a cast on his left ankle due to a paragliding accident.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most important for companies considering replacing patches of their workforce with AI, the MIT data suggests AI struggles to perform more complicated tasks.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Peet plays a therapist who struggles with her own mental health and the health and familial changes that occur during midlife.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the book, Grace drags Rocky back to his part of the ship, exposing himself to the Eridian environment; in the film, Rocky crawls back while Grace is unconscious.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Shops at Yale recently announced the return of the New Haven food crawls and have added a date in December, according to a statement.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Doing so triggers an automatic stay, which immediately halts most wage garnishments while the case is processed.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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And even if Israel halts its strikes on Iran, there’s no guarantee Tehran will reciprocate.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your 6th House of Health takes focus with the nurturing Moon there, though Luna also pokes expensive Jupiter in your 3rd House of Distractions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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In April, ruby-red paintbrush pokes out of the ground, and in late summer, vibrant yellow rabbitbrush flowers join the mix.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limps. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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