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
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 lingering
Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
After seeing consistent playing time following his February 2024 trade from Memphis and hitting a clutch 3-pointer to help Boston win Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas, Tillman tumbled down the depth chart in 2024-25, the result of poor shooting and lingering knee issues.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, there were lingering doubts.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Pointed gestures toward the lingering tension between Japan and Korea — and between those two countries and the rest of the planet — are drowned out by tiresome bickering and exaggerated gags, like a meaningful conversation swallowed into the sound of an airplane engine screaming overhead.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
The Yankees will likely overhaul their roster this offseason and make changes, but before that, the team needs to deal with Judge's lingering injury to ensure his health.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Throughout our conversation, his gaze shifts around the room, lingering on other diners.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Casaubonian in his learning and drive but without the tragic vanity, he was born in Pittsburgh in 1933 and raised in New York, inheriting from his Texan parents a pride in the Lone Star State, along with a lingering twang.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Fall Prime Day is officially over, and these lingering discounts will most certainly be gone by tomorrow.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Chad Molter, executive director of Boulder’s Harvest of Hope Pantry, is also worried about how the lingering government shutdown could surge demand.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
After seeing consistent playing time following his February 2024 trade from Memphis and hitting a clutch 3-pointer to help Boston win Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas, Tillman tumbled down the depth chart in 2024-25, the result of poor shooting and lingering knee issues.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, there were lingering doubts.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Pointed gestures toward the lingering tension between Japan and Korea — and between those two countries and the rest of the planet — are drowned out by tiresome bickering and exaggerated gags, like a meaningful conversation swallowed into the sound of an airplane engine screaming overhead.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
The Yankees will likely overhaul their roster this offseason and make changes, but before that, the team needs to deal with Judge's lingering injury to ensure his health.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Throughout our conversation, his gaze shifts around the room, lingering on other diners.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Casaubonian in his learning and drive but without the tragic vanity, he was born in Pittsburgh in 1933 and raised in New York, inheriting from his Texan parents a pride in the Lone Star State, along with a lingering twang.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Fall Prime Day is officially over, and these lingering discounts will most certainly be gone by tomorrow.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
The residual activity will inhibit all types of seedling growth, including your new grass seed, says Waltz.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Could there have been some residual anger at the fumble ruling?—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unusually warm and dry weather from late September into early October may be delaying peak fall color in some places, and could also result in a shorter, less vibrant season, said Adam Schneider, assistant professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in a recent blog post.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
For many families and vulnerable individuals, the cost could be prohibitive, potentially delaying or blocking access.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, tracked more than 5,400 children from early childhood through grades three and six, ultimately offering some of the strongest evidence yet that screen time may have lasting effects on academic achievement.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Trump’s battles with individual universities have made headlines, but the structural reforms happening in the background may prove more lasting.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny has commented little, save for an SNL monologue poking fun at the situation.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The bit kicked off by poking fun at the Senate hearing that took place earlier this week.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That dragging sway of tempo that sounds like a porch sitting rocking chair.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Netanyahu was first charged years ago, but the case has stalled, dragging on for more than half a decade.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over three hours, small groups navigate a challenging underground world, scrambling over boulders, belly-crawling through narrow passages, and squeezing through tight spaces to discover hidden marble wonders.—
Heide Brandes,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Halloween is fast approaching, and Cincinnati is crawling with some fang-tastic events this weekend.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shadow of a mad scientist is always creeping over his shoulder, tapping on it, reminding him to be clever.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
-
After battling late summer heat, the Greater Cincinnati region is finally starting to cool down with fall temperatures slowly creeping in.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share