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
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Recent Examples of lingering
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This lingering becomes the sound of a book in a new room, opening, its music carried in a wind that crosses borders.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
That iconic call is the lingering memory from another heartbreaking Cowboys loss to the Steelers, this time in Super Bowl 13.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Travis County Emergency Services warned of a refreeze Tuesday night that could cause lingering icy conditions.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
And, finally, kojic acid, which works similarly to alpha arbutin but for lingering discoloration.
—Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti—and the federal response to those killings—ought to put this lingering nostalgia to rest.
—Aziz Huq, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Some schools and businesses around Oklahoma are closing or going virtual for the day amid lingering snow and ice.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 27 Jan. 2026
Fabric softener coats towel fibers, reducing absorbency and causing stiffness, lingering odors, and residue buildup.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
Multiple royal watchers have claimed the prince has struggled to move beyond the fallout of his dramatic exit from royal life six years ago, citing professional setbacks and lingering personal tensions.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This lingering becomes the sound of a book in a new room, opening, its music carried in a wind that crosses borders.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
That iconic call is the lingering memory from another heartbreaking Cowboys loss to the Steelers, this time in Super Bowl 13.
—R.j. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Travis County Emergency Services warned of a refreeze Tuesday night that could cause lingering icy conditions.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
And, finally, kojic acid, which works similarly to alpha arbutin but for lingering discoloration.
—Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti—and the federal response to those killings—ought to put this lingering nostalgia to rest.
—Aziz Huq, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Some schools and businesses around Oklahoma are closing or going virtual for the day amid lingering snow and ice.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 27 Jan. 2026
Fabric softener coats towel fibers, reducing absorbency and causing stiffness, lingering odors, and residue buildup.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
Some people get better but still have residual symptoms.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
No headaches, no residual or negative effects from the accident.—
Will Rice,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Persons should consider delaying all travel.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Even as salary budgets stabilize, effective leaders navigate uncertainty and changing employment patterns to create lasting value for their people and shareholders.—
John M. Bremen,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Combined with proper nutrition, exercise creates lasting results, not quick fixes.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of the final hostage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in the recovery of Gvili’s remains.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Their second goal came on a play that McLellan still felt postgame should have been overturned for goalie interference, with Dylan Strome seemingly poking a puck out from under Gibson’s glove and scoring on a wraparound.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Spillman seemingly didn’t mind poking fun at her age, hitting the comedic beat again in the November episode that featured the finalists.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Few things shake the confidence of a person like crawling to the top bunk of a quivering bed frame, your feet wrapping uncomfortably along the frail metal rungs of the ladder.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Soon Carbone was crawling with celebrities.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After a short detour, visitors will find some cute photo ops with the beavers and even more Pokémon creeping onto the main trail.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Make the jump to cigarette jeans, also known (less charmingly) as stovepipe or boyfriend jeans, which are slowly but surely creeping into the fashion ecosystem.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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