LINGER Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

linger

verb

ˈliŋ-gər

Definition of linger

as in to delay

to move or act slowly since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work

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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 linger But even in a crowd of MAGA-hat-toting Republican voters who took a day off school and work to attend a political rally, there was some lingering skepticism about Donalds at the top of the ticket. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 Because of the lingering effects of Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination, however, many Black women were still denied the franchise. — Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 The retrograde officially concludes on November 13; however, the post-retrograde shadow lingers until December 15. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 Celebrate a job well done with coffee or tea on the meadow terrace, then head back to the city … or linger a bit longer by booking a room at a nearby bed and breakfast. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for linger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for linger

Verb

Walter Mischel, a psychologist who taught at Stanford and Columbia, conducted some of the most famous studies on delaying gratification in the late 1960s and 1970s.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Parents who addressed the board on Thursday urged the district to delay the vote and take more time to review logistics.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Oil prices have stayed above $100 per barrel as the Middle East conflict dragged on with few signs of a diplomatic off-ramp.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
But as the weeks dragged on, and the talks between the companies continued, Ellison and his team felt that they were not being taken seriously, and that WBD was preferencing other bidders.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of drag

Verb

Introduced crawling through the Trask family’s field, her black blood spattering their rich soil like a human pesticide, Cathy personifies the series’ potent blend of dread and beauty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
But centering a nearly dead Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) is Kazan’s entire intention with this project, and snagging us with the image of her bloody body crawling toward the Trasks’ farmhouse is a tip of the hand toward where East of Eden is going.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

Over the course of Next Gen NYC’s season, which ended this past week, the model Ava Dash grabs a slice of pizza on Fulton Street; strolls through the Seaport; and calls her father, the hip-hop mogul Damon Dash, from a bench at Pier 17.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
What to do nearby Step directly onto Ocean Drive to explore the surrounding Art Deco Historic District, or stroll across the street into Lummus Park for a seaside walk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stroll

Browse Nearby Words

line up

linger

lingered

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“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/linger. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of linger

verb

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