as in drags
to move or act slowly
since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lingers
Former Mayor Harold Washington appears extensively — including a candid photo of Washington shaking hands with constituents while a young Obama lingers in the background.
—
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
The woman lingers, asking about the food.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Decades later, its influence still lingers in bridal fashion.
—María Mérida, Glamour, 30 May 2026
The all-over green floral print is finished with a neck tie that drapes down the back—a subtle detail that lingers just long enough to make an impression.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 May 2026
There are no additives, and at 94 proof just a touch of heat lingers on the finish.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
In these small, fragile traces, innocence lingers – along with a quiet, stubborn belief in something as simple and elusive as love.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
This focus lingers longer than usual as Mercury will retrograde here starting June 29, extending its stay in Cancer all the way through early August.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Then my gaze lingers on the sailors who are steering the boat, their white uniforms dazzling in the sunlight.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
The woman lingers, asking about the food.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Decades later, its influence still lingers in bridal fashion.
—María Mérida, Glamour, 30 May 2026
The all-over green floral print is finished with a neck tie that drapes down the back—a subtle detail that lingers just long enough to make an impression.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 May 2026
There are no additives, and at 94 proof just a touch of heat lingers on the finish.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
In these small, fragile traces, innocence lingers – along with a quiet, stubborn belief in something as simple and elusive as love.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
This focus lingers longer than usual as Mercury will retrograde here starting June 29, extending its stay in Cancer all the way through early August.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Then my gaze lingers on the sailors who are steering the boat, their white uniforms dazzling in the sunlight.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingers
Verb
-
In a chilling sequence, Dennis ties a garbage bag over Mallory’s head and drags her into the woods.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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The United States’ stockpiles of crude oil, gasoline and diesel are falling fast as the war with Iran drags on.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Doctors say the administrative action routinely delays or denies care.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Nothing says Connecticut meet-cute like bonding over melting ice cream while a boat slowly delays everyone’s plans.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
At sunset, the city starts glowing around you while traffic crawls silently below.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
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Critics on the Croisette are starting to resemble that classic comic-strip panel in which an explorer crawls desperately across the sand toward an oasis that’s only a mirage.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In it, Grace can be seen playing a racing game while the Mallrats creator pokes fun at her driving skills.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander apparently isn’t amused by a new board game that pokes fun at the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s reputation for garnering foul calls at the hint of contact by an opposing player.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingers. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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