linger

verb

ˈliŋ-gər How to pronounce linger (audio)
Definition of lingernext
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

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 linger The lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires may have kept some away but those in attendance were eager to show off their pets. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 But England managed to quell any lingering feeling with a try after only four minutes to winger Tommy Freeman, then a double to backrower Ben Earl which gave it a 19-3 lead at halftime. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 That left a question lingering about how seriously each team would take Saturday’s third-place game. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026 Mudlarks often linger on the therapeutic and quasi-mystical dimensions of their visits to the river. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for linger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for linger
  1. delay
  2. drag
  3. crawl
  4. poke
  5. loiter
  6. stroll
Verb
  • When that first weekend closure did happen, Sunday night rain did not delay the lanes’ opening early Monday.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • The midfielder was deemed to have delayed a restart by throwing the ball away.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • Overall, the plan is on par with a request the White House submitted to Congress last month, as the Iran war drags past four months.
    — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Tents As a teenager, crawling into a small A-frame tent was a rite of passage.
    — Clay Abney, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026
  • With fervent editing, careful scene geography, and assured direction, the walk before the run can be tense enough to send viewers crawling out of their seats, willing the fugitive onscreen to get a move on already.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Her breasts poke at the thin fabric of her gown, and there are shadows in the folds of the bed linen.
    — Diane Williams, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
  • This included one of their players poking a finger into the ear of the Belgian penalty-spot protector Diego Moreira, and responding to the reactionary elbow to the tummy by going down, and staying down, on top of the penalty mark.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • There’s just a better version lurking inside, one that could’ve elevated the action-chase genre instead of merely loitering there.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • But years drag on with no news of the king’s whereabouts, and more than 100 suitors loiter in his palace day in and day out, vying to woo Penelope and take the throne.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of loiter
Verb
  • For shade from Rome’s blistering sun, avoid the city center and stroll through the gardens of Villa Borghese or the Giardino Degli Aranci.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
  • Visitors can also see more wildlife while strolling along the dunes.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026
Definition of stroll

Browse Nearby Words

line up
linger
lingered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/linger. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on linger

Nglish: Translation of linger for Spanish Speakers

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