Synonyms of loiter

loiter

verb

ˈlȯi-tər 

as in to linger

to move or act slowly

don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linger
• delay
• crawl
• drag
• poke
• stroll
• dawdle
• creep
• mope
• play
• lollygag
• tarry
• lag
• fall behind
• stall
• diddle
• mark time
• drop behind
• idle
• shuffle
• hang fire
• lounge
• dally
• stagger
• saunter
• dillydally
• shilly-shally
• amble
• take one's time
• trifle
• drag one's feet
• loll
• fool around
• fiddle (around)
• hang (around or out)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• decelerate
• monkey (around)
• loaf
• plod
• mess around
• slow (down or up)
• procrastinate
• temporize
• inch
• ease
• lumber
• filibuster

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fly
• hurry
• scurry
• course
• hasten
• rush
• run
• race
• scoot
• speed
• tear
• career
• rip
• rocket
• whirl
• whisk
• dash
• breeze
• dart
• zip
• bolt
• hustle
• run
• barrel
• scramble
• hurtle
• jog
• hump
• scud
• gallop
• trot
• whiz
• accelerate
• stampede
• sprint
• hotfoot (it)
• quicken
• speed (up)
• overtake
• bowl
• outrun
• outstrip
• catch up
• outpace
• fast-forward

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

Recent Examples of loiter

The crackdown has been unsettling to hospital employees, who said ICE agents have been seen loitering on hospital grounds and asking patients and employees for proof of citizenship. —Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

One big mistake for instance in recent years stateside was to reduce the seating in many cafés—partly to eliminate loitering concerns in cities, and in favor of mobile and drive-thru formats. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

According to residents in the area, the man taken into custody has reportedly been loitering around the South Florida neighborhood for several weeks. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Defense startups Helsing and Stark Defence are each set to win €300 million contracts from Germany’s Bundeswehr for loitering munitions, leaving local giant Rheinmetall behind, people familiar with the situation say. —Gerry Doyle, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026