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
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Psychologists have long been interested in why some slights refuse to fade, and how those lingering injuries can settle in — reshaping a person’s thoughts, mood and sense of self over time.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
But long after completing treatment, many survivors face lingering mental health challenges that go unaddressed.
—Natalie Krebs, NPR, 9 June 2026
Pre-soak items with lingering odors for 15 to 30 minutes to give odor-causing bacteria ample time to break down.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
The Liberty pulled off the win without superstar Sabrina Ionescu, who was sidelined Saturday due to a lingering injury.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
What accounts for the narrator’s lingering doubts?
—Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Elizabeth notes that lingering in the entryway unnecessarily or ignoring instructions about where to place coats and bags can unintentionally disrupt the rhythm the host is trying to create.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
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
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
The one question lingering after the Garrett trade was whether or not his addition would lure Rams great Aaron Donald, 35, out of retirement for one last ride.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Psychologists have long been interested in why some slights refuse to fade, and how those lingering injuries can settle in — reshaping a person’s thoughts, mood and sense of self over time.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
But long after completing treatment, many survivors face lingering mental health challenges that go unaddressed.
—Natalie Krebs, NPR, 9 June 2026
Pre-soak items with lingering odors for 15 to 30 minutes to give odor-causing bacteria ample time to break down.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
The Liberty pulled off the win without superstar Sabrina Ionescu, who was sidelined Saturday due to a lingering injury.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
What accounts for the narrator’s lingering doubts?
—Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Elizabeth notes that lingering in the entryway unnecessarily or ignoring instructions about where to place coats and bags can unintentionally disrupt the rhythm the host is trying to create.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
Monfortex sanforizers are designed to deliver minimum residual shrinkage with excellent fabric hand and highly reproducible quality.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
-
If adopted on a global scale, this solution will not only have a positive impact on the environment but also benefit the economy by increasing the residual value of buildings at the end of their service life.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 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
-
Researchers say migraines may contribute to lasting changes in the brain, but overlapping factors like poor sleep and stress likely play a role too.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
2 June 2026
-
Verma, who also served as a member of Parliament, renders Magadh as a place at once real and imaginary, lasting and lost—both a point of origin and an unreachable destination.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Tech had a rough Tuesday, dragging the S&P and Nasdaq lower.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Part of Cantoni’s job is to collect ticks from around the state through a process called dragging.—
Allison Gollenberg,
Hartford Courant,
9 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
-
Wrigley Field West, aka Coors Field, was crawling with Cubs fans on Tuesday night.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
He was found on Thursday morning, crawling towards Base Camp, and airlifted to Kathmandu, where doctors are treating him for frostbite, severe dehydration and a fractured thigh bone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The vote comes as communities around the country debate how to handle increasingly large data centers creeping into populated areas.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
With summer finally creeping into New England, the humidity was high and the rain was occasionally intense.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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