Synonyms of linger

linger

verb

ˈliŋ-gər 

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

• delay
• drag
• crawl
• poke
• loiter
• stroll
• creep
• dawdle
• tarry
• play
• mope
• mark time
• lag
• fall behind
• lollygag
• drop behind
• stall
• shuffle
• diddle
• hang fire
• stagger
• dally
• dillydally
• lounge
• idle
• saunter
• drag one's feet
• shilly-shally
• take one's time
• amble
• trifle
• fool around
• loll
• putter (around)
• hang (around or out)
• fiddle (around)
• decelerate
• potter (around)
• slow (down or up)
• monkey (around)
• loaf
• mess around
• temporize
• ease
• procrastinate
• inch
• plod
• lumber
• filibuster

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hasten
• course
• hurry
• run
• rush
• fly
• scurry
• race
• tear
• rip
• career
• whisk
• scoot
• speed
• whirl
• breeze
• dash
• rocket
• run
• bolt
• zip
• barrel
• scramble
• hurtle
• dart
• jog
• hustle
• accelerate
• gallop
• stampede
• hump
• quicken
• trot
• scud
• whiz
• sprint
• speed (up)
• overtake
• hotfoot (it)
• outstrip
• outrun
• catch up
• outpace
• bowl
• fast-forward

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of linger

For Atlanta fans, the lingering question is whether Kimbrel deserved one final opportunity to pitch at home for the organization where his Hall of Fame-caliber career began. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

But the specter of a public vote on the project continues to linger as a group of petitioners who oppose using public tax dollars on the stadium demands that voters get a say. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Nearly the entire group lingers in the living room—playing chess, swapping stories, exchanging photos. — Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

The 2021 event was pushed to September over lingering Covid concerns, but then Hurricane Ida forced its cancellation when rains turned the Farm into a muddy mess. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026