Synonym Chooser

How is the word loiter different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of loiter are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows
children dawdling on their way home from school

When might dally be a better fit than loiter?

The words dally and loiter can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is it sensible to use delay instead of loiter?

The meanings of delay and loiter largely overlap; however, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of loiter?

While the synonyms lag and loiter are close in meaning, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When is procrastinate a more appropriate choice than loiter?

The words procrastinate and loiter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loiter The detectives went and wrote a criminal complaint, charging Ruth with stalking and loitering and prowling at night, misdemeanors that did not reflect the seriousness, or danger, of the situation, and got a warrant for his arrest. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 He had also been charged with trespassing as well as loitering and prowling at night, according to online court records filed earlier on Wednesday. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 Morong got to Charlotte in 2005, but had been loitering around the film scene for about five years up to that point. Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025 Some Ukrainian units have already used early versions of these weapons, which can loiter for hours and make autonomous attack decisions after being trained on enough imagery of troops and vehicles. Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loiter
Verb
  • From this point of view, Xidan Books may seem to suffer from comparison with the Zhongshuge chain, whose outlets are drawing increasing numbers of Beijing readers thanks to interior design that catches the eye and spurs a desire to linger at length.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Some analysts predict the measures could push Tehran to take a tougher nuclear stance, but the lingering threat of US and Israeli attacks gives Iran’s leaders limited strategic flexibility.
    Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Treasury has not set a date for when the final draft will be decided, but the government shutdown may delay a final decision.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Munich Airport in Germany briefly delayed the relaunch of flight operations on Saturday morning local time due to drone sightings, after previous UAV sightings earlier halted all traffic at the airport for several hours.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Textured toys overhead amuse babies on their backs while musical toys entertain during tummy time and when learning to crawl.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Teams have for days meticulously tunneled under the rubble, crawling on their hands and knees searching for signs of life, knowing the unstable structure could again buckle upon them.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That meant Hufanga spent a good chunk of the offseason not just learning a new system, but getting poked and prodded by his new coaches and running mate Jones.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The star compares calling out the sketch, which poked fun at her accent and teeth, to confronting a bully.
    Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With marker John McGinn behind him, the midfielder attempted to drag the ball back and evade the challenge.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • If the shutdown drags on for more than a few days, a report on inflation scheduled for mid-October could also be delayed.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • At one point our conversation halts as Bailey gestures toward the window, where two men stroll past arm in arm.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loiter. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loiter

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