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 film ends with one last punctuating burst of laughter, with a lingering aftertaste of wistfulness and hope. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026 The virus can also survive outside the body, lingering in the air and on surfaces. — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026 Use the Deter Mode option to enable Smart Deter for people who linger and/or get too close to your car. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026 Though Hochul faced headwinds—rising electricity prices, economic stagnation, and lingering concerns about crime categories like felony assault—Blakeman failed to turn any of them into a real liability. — Ken Girardin, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 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
  • The resort delayed its opening by a few days to allow for more snowmaking, and a few intermediate runs will be open beginning tomorrow.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Julie Metea said final results are delayed because of a surge of 34,000 same-day voter registrations Tuesday.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • No evidence of foul play was discovered, though the investigation dragged on.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • This suspect returns back to his car, retrieves his handgun, walks back over to the victim, who’s trying to crawl away with her life, and executes her.
    — Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s because the moon began to crawl across it about half an hour ago.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • But with just a step to her other side or a shake of her head on stage, the near-auburn shade moves to the forefront, with dimensional pieces of golden blonde poking through.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In the close-up clip, the Gossip Girl actress’ face is completely covered except for her eyes, nose and lips poking through a white face mask.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • The system features a 30 mm automatic cannon, supported by sensors and a fire control system designed to engage aerial threats such as drones, helicopters and loitering munitions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Something of an old-fashioned centre-forward, Lepaul rarely gets involved in build-up play, preferring instead to loiter up front.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of loiter
Verb
  • Part of the charm of traveling in New England is waking up in a town that feels plucked right out of a movie, grabbing a latte at the local coffee shop, and strolling down streets filled with homes bearing historic placards.
    — Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Cara Hile and her mother, Jeri, strolled up to a two-story home in Brookside Saturday, pamphlets in-hand.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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