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
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Rain coverage will be at its peak throughout the morning, with a few lingering showers by the afternoon.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Even with pivotal elections looming this year, that lingering presence is barely mentioned in city council meetings or by candidates running for mayor and Congress — perhaps reflecting both competing priorities and a sense that local officials have little power to stop it.
—Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
There is a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that the women gaining expertise in the industry even like whiskey.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
There is a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that women who are gaining expertise in the industry even like whiskey.
—Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Brooke said moments during filming forced her to confront lingering insecurities about whether her father ever fully grasped her independence and success.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Still, any lingering questions about scale had largely answered themselves.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
That said, with the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) still lingering in the 20s, this is not the time to go heavy.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 14 Apr. 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 one problem is the lingering perception that blue-collar work isn’t as elite or prestigious as white-collar work.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Rain coverage will be at its peak throughout the morning, with a few lingering showers by the afternoon.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Even with pivotal elections looming this year, that lingering presence is barely mentioned in city council meetings or by candidates running for mayor and Congress — perhaps reflecting both competing priorities and a sense that local officials have little power to stop it.
—Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
There is a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that the women gaining expertise in the industry even like whiskey.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
There is a common, lingering doubt among some male colleagues and consumers that women who are gaining expertise in the industry even like whiskey.
—Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Brooke said moments during filming forced her to confront lingering insecurities about whether her father ever fully grasped her independence and success.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Still, any lingering questions about scale had largely answered themselves.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
That said, with the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) still lingering in the 20s, this is not the time to go heavy.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
As of July, cannabis concentrate manufacturers must also test their products for additional residual solvents that could help indicate whether or not the product was derived from hemp.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The second one is screenwriters getting pension and health contributions on their residual payments.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That is setting batteries up for a dual role as an enabler to putting more green energy on the grid and delaying the phase-out of fossil fuels.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was recently defeated in an election, had accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs — an allegation that Zelenskyy denied.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Attacks have caused lasting damage on infrastructure in half a dozen countries in the Middle East.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a four-game span, the Philadelphia 76ers star received a technical foul for shoving Donte DiVincenzo, and flagrant fouls for dragging Mitchell Robinson to the floor and swiping Brunson in the head.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Martha Stewart, however—perhaps the least likely superstar to do so—is poking holes in that fantasy, giving us an iconic new selfie that feels wildly relatable to anyone familiar with the mayhem of getting ready.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Paul, who co-created the Apple TV+ series and drew from season one for the musical’s script and score, performs a dexterous trick, poking fun at the form’s many ridiculous tropes with an unmistakably affectionate hand.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adobe could be crawling its way out of the software stock abyss, after a buyback and an endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revived confidence in the digital media provider.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Sick of crawling through rush-hour traffic along Interstate 84 in Meridian?—
Rose Evans
April 20,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trailing plants like Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) and common periwinkle (Vinca minor) spill over the edges of the pot, while creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) cover the surface with dense mats.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Clean your garden tools after working with creeping Charlie to prevent spread, Funk adds.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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