as in residual
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The area is still feeling the lingering effects of the hurricane. There are lingering questions about the extent of his involvement in the crime.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lingering
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
At times, that restraint can make the record feel more textural and ambient, lingering to the point of near suffocation.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
So did tight end Cole Turner, receiver Chris Bell, edge rusher Cameron Goode and receiver Tahj Washington, who were all rehabbing lingering injuries.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
The striking historical precedent does not sit well will some for the current market — especially considering the lingering risks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Becerra’s candidacy coincided with allegations that his staff had been involved in fraud, and resurfaced lingering concerns about the treatment of migrant children under his watch.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The vaccine works by training the immune system to identify and kill lingering cancer cells and later, any new cells that emerge.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 1 June 2026
The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of oak, spice, and dark caramel.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Adjective
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
At times, that restraint can make the record feel more textural and ambient, lingering to the point of near suffocation.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
So did tight end Cole Turner, receiver Chris Bell, edge rusher Cameron Goode and receiver Tahj Washington, who were all rehabbing lingering injuries.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
The striking historical precedent does not sit well will some for the current market — especially considering the lingering risks.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Becerra’s candidacy coincided with allegations that his staff had been involved in fraud, and resurfaced lingering concerns about the treatment of migrant children under his watch.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The vaccine works by training the immune system to identify and kill lingering cancer cells and later, any new cells that emerge.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 1 June 2026
The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of oak, spice, and dark caramel.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and even the concerns about the impact of those huge IPOs are maintaining a residual wall of worry for the market to scale.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
-
The new model proves which problems matter, funds the work to retire them and tells leadership honestly what residual risk is being accepted in return.—
Yonesy Nunez,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Those measures may represent the festival's most lasting impact.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Composers like Rachmaninov, Previn, Korngold, and Lerner and Loewe all have found their creative voice in this country and made lasting impact on American music.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In partnership with Underdog, a popular daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick'em betting platform, Brooks revealed a one-of-a-kind board game poking fun at SGA.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
Plenty of skilled directors can manipulate tension and fear while still poking us toward nervous laughter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Thursday night group was seen leaving about three hours afterward, according to the NYPD, while the second odd circumstance ended after individuals were seen crawling out and leaving in a vehicle more than two and a half hours after.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Toddlers and babies spend their days at floor level, crawling through dust, putting hands and objects in their mouths, and breathing air closer to the ground than anyone else.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Chartreuse creeping Jenny adds even more contrast.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
-
Yes, the guys, especially the dentist (ick) and the icky bride-shopping commanders are creeping and disturbing.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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