as in lingering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 loitering
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Mar. 2025
Hopkins, whose ward includes that block, told the Tribune a crowd of around 50 teens was loitering in the movie theater’s lobby before the shots rang out.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
When these are converted into one-way attack drones, also known as loitering munitions, the result is a seriously expansive single-use item.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
For reasons unknown — maybe the lil’ guy was cursed by a Roma traveler, or became possessed by malevolent spirits previously loitering in a fancy Colorado hotel, or simply hung out too long with an evil clown who lives in the sewer — the automaton’s musical chops causes mayhem and carnage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
The mayor’s representatives at Monday’s meeting said many of the migrants have permits to work and will not be loitering around the facility.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
Rarer still were his family members loitering with the entourage.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
The canine was captured loitering behind a kitchen counter while holding a pair of scissors in their mouth.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
On that June arrest report, obtained by The Herald, police explained the trespass arrest, saying that Sampson was arrested for loitering outside the store when in fact the video, which has a date and time stamp, clearly shows him being handcuffed and arrested inside the store.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
While the ZigZag’s exact range, payload, and loitering capacity remain undisclosed, its design reflects the growing sophistication of Ukrainian drone technology.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Mar. 2025
Hopkins, whose ward includes that block, told the Tribune a crowd of around 50 teens was loitering in the movie theater’s lobby before the shots rang out.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
When these are converted into one-way attack drones, also known as loitering munitions, the result is a seriously expansive single-use item.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
For reasons unknown — maybe the lil’ guy was cursed by a Roma traveler, or became possessed by malevolent spirits previously loitering in a fancy Colorado hotel, or simply hung out too long with an evil clown who lives in the sewer — the automaton’s musical chops causes mayhem and carnage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
The mayor’s representatives at Monday’s meeting said many of the migrants have permits to work and will not be loitering around the facility.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
Rarer still were his family members loitering with the entourage.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
The canine was captured loitering behind a kitchen counter while holding a pair of scissors in their mouth.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
On that June arrest report, obtained by The Herald, police explained the trespass arrest, saying that Sampson was arrested for loitering outside the store when in fact the video, which has a date and time stamp, clearly shows him being handcuffed and arrested inside the store.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loitering
Verb
-
Magical door wash to welcome in the new To create your magic door wash, start with a glass mason jar and cleanse the space above it by ringing a bell in a clockwise motion to clear any lingering energy.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Don't jump to conclusions about a compromise state budget plan with cuts, taxes and a lingering bit of uncertainty.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Generally, a plant whose roots are poking out will be completely root-bound.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But his first few weeks in office have been disappointingly lethargic, in contrast to the focused energy coming from the White House.—
Adrian Wooldridge,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
-
But the narrative of a lethargic civil service in bad need of work discipline was set in motion.—
Charlie Tyson,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Boston played its previous 19 games with at least one starter or rotation player inactive.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Simple steps—such as checking balances, using debit cards, or logging into digital banking—can prevent accounts from becoming inactive.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Spring, after all, ushers in new beginnings with nature bursting into color and life after the cold, harsh inert winter.—
Paul Laudicina,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loitering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loitering. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share