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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Recent Examples of lingers
That anticipation for Season 3, premiering Sunday, still lingers for Fletcher, though it’s tempered now by doubt and distance, thanks to a four-year gap between seasons.
—
Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The active pattern lingers, with additional chances for showers and storms on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
—Nelly Carreno, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Schedules outside of the home barely overlap—one partner’s at the gym, the other lingers in a café.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026
Annabelle Gordon | Reuters Federal prosecutors in Washington are facing a decision that will help determine whether Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is swiftly replaced or lingers on while politicians fight over his replacement.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Bardolph lingers on the plot back burner — at first.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
As most of the women note, Simon’s presence lingers through the echoing halls of Porsha’s new palace — both literally and metaphorically, thanks to some great editing of his shadow lurking in the background — a feeling worsened by Porsha parading a new man on her arm.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Even on this record is maybe something that still lingers in my soul.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
What lingers is not just the pastry, but the process and understanding that something as delicate as a croissant is built on decisions including temperature and timing.
—Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The active pattern lingers, with additional chances for showers and storms on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
—Nelly Carreno, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Schedules outside of the home barely overlap—one partner’s at the gym, the other lingers in a café.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026
Annabelle Gordon | Reuters Federal prosecutors in Washington are facing a decision that will help determine whether Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is swiftly replaced or lingers on while politicians fight over his replacement.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Bardolph lingers on the plot back burner — at first.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
As most of the women note, Simon’s presence lingers through the echoing halls of Porsha’s new palace — both literally and metaphorically, thanks to some great editing of his shadow lurking in the background — a feeling worsened by Porsha parading a new man on her arm.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Even on this record is maybe something that still lingers in my soul.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
What lingers is not just the pastry, but the process and understanding that something as delicate as a croissant is built on decisions including temperature and timing.
—Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingers
Verb
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Trump has issued conflicting and confusing statements about possible talks as the war drags, including extending deadlines for a deal, which might lead Iran to discount his dire new threats.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
However, many experts say Dubai’s image as a haven will be in doubt the longer the war drags on.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That delays emptying of the stomach.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But having firefighters wait before starting preparations also delays when they can be dispatched to emergencies, which has lengthened response times — and has likely cost many lives across the city, the 60-page audit says.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Think about how often your toddler crawls near the dog bed or your kids toss pet toys around the living room.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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In the book, Grace drags Rocky back to his part of the ship, exposing himself to the Eridian environment; in the film, Rocky crawls back while Grace is unconscious.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Your 6th House of Health takes focus with the nurturing Moon there, though Luna also pokes expensive Jupiter in your 3rd House of Distractions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In April, ruby-red paintbrush pokes out of the ground, and in late summer, vibrant yellow rabbitbrush flowers join the mix.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingers. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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