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
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
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Forecasters say this pattern reflects lingering La Niña influences in the Pacific and the gradual transition toward spring.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The case sparked a political scandal last year that led to the ouster of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and fueled new public anger at lingering corruption as Ukraine fights Russia in its four-year war.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The Council must fully fund the Department of Investigation to produce its comprehensive report on the city’s knowledge and actions on the WTC terrorist attack’s lingering environmental and health hazards.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Salicylic acid works inside pores to break up oil and buildup, while lactic acid smooths uneven texture caused by lingering congestion.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
What does one definitive result and another significant one still lingering mean for eligibility in college athletics in 2026?
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Experts point to restricted access to advanced chips and limited capital as lingering constraints.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The Charlotte Hornets shut Coby White down through the All-Star break due to lingering calf injuries that have impacted his play all season.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 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
Weir was right, but those tours — whether billed as the Other Ones or the Dead — were a blend of old camaraderie and lingering friction between the members.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Forecasters say this pattern reflects lingering La Niña influences in the Pacific and the gradual transition toward spring.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The case sparked a political scandal last year that led to the ouster of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and fueled new public anger at lingering corruption as Ukraine fights Russia in its four-year war.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The Council must fully fund the Department of Investigation to produce its comprehensive report on the city’s knowledge and actions on the WTC terrorist attack’s lingering environmental and health hazards.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Salicylic acid works inside pores to break up oil and buildup, while lactic acid smooths uneven texture caused by lingering congestion.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
What does one definitive result and another significant one still lingering mean for eligibility in college athletics in 2026?
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Experts point to restricted access to advanced chips and limited capital as lingering constraints.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The Charlotte Hornets shut Coby White down through the All-Star break due to lingering calf injuries that have impacted his play all season.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
While tensions eased with time, residual remained, emerging again amid national protests over ICE raids.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Odors are often caused by residual water or mineral buildup.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this season, Garland had surgery on his left big toe and then sprained the right big toe, which continues to give him problems, delaying his Clippers’ debut.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some of those detainees could be charged in the weeks to come in Minneapolis, where a number of prosecutors have quit – delaying cases and slowing the court system.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This balanced snack helps slow sugar absorption and provides lasting energy.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The American trio of Liu, Glenn, and Isabeau Levito, who finished 12th after an uncharacteristic fall, will likely have a far more lasting impact on the culture of figure skating.—
Alice Park,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Negotiators are showing few signs of backing down from their demands, and there’s little holding back talks from dragging on for the foreseeable future.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Eliza was eventually turned over to a bounty hunter, who, along with her original enslaver, went to Chicago and captured her, apparently dragging her down Adams Street, Krupa said.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prince Edward and the former Prince Andrew smiled for the camera while poking their heads through the stone barriers on the grounds outside Buckingham Palace.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Social media users have also been poking fun at how popular the jackets are among the Asian diaspora.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At 5 feet 6 inches tall, the then-20-year-old Angeleno was considered short for industry standards, but that didn't stop her from edging out frontrunners Yaya DaCosta and Amanda Swafford at the finale in Japan — or from taking bold risks, like posing with a tarantula crawling across her face.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Another initiative involves designing specialized robots (not humanoid) capable of crawling through mud and water to clear underground tunnels.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because one of the star ingredients, snow mushroom extract, boasts exceptional water retention, locking moisture into your hair, sealing the cuticle, and preventing humidity from creeping in.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
When exhaustion overtakes them, something more sinister comes creeping from the shadows.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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