as in delaying
to move or act slowly
don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lingering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
There were times when Drew came home from meetings with the city council, the clinic board of trustees, or even a trial and found Jocko loitering around, kicking his Hacky Sack as part of his never-ending fitness program.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
German and French delegations packed new national pavilions, Polish and Dutch firms demoed loitering munitions and EW suites, and US primes like Lockheed Martin, RTX (Raytheon), and AeroVironment dominated the floor with NASAMS, HIMARS, and unmanned systems.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Kavan Markwood, 20, was charged with one misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at nighttime after he was accused of attempting to gain entry into the home of an ex-girlfriend, CBS News reported, citing Brentwood police.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The ordinance already prohibits loitering at streetcar and bus rapid transit stops.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
Advanced defense technology firms are working with Taiwan to expand the island’s access to cutting-edge capabilities, such as loitering munitions, sea mines, unmanned aerial systems, unmanned surface vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, and electronic warfare and communications equipment.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
Both involve Melissa first loitering out over the Caribbean Sea for multiple days this week, churning up seas and bringing nasty weather to islands within the storm’s reach.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
There were times when Drew came home from meetings with the city council, the clinic board of trustees, or even a trial and found Jocko loitering around, kicking his Hacky Sack as part of his never-ending fitness program.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
German and French delegations packed new national pavilions, Polish and Dutch firms demoed loitering munitions and EW suites, and US primes like Lockheed Martin, RTX (Raytheon), and AeroVironment dominated the floor with NASAMS, HIMARS, and unmanned systems.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Kavan Markwood, 20, was charged with one misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at nighttime after he was accused of attempting to gain entry into the home of an ex-girlfriend, CBS News reported, citing Brentwood police.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The ordinance already prohibits loitering at streetcar and bus rapid transit stops.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
Advanced defense technology firms are working with Taiwan to expand the island’s access to cutting-edge capabilities, such as loitering munitions, sea mines, unmanned aerial systems, unmanned surface vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, and electronic warfare and communications equipment.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loitering
Verb
-
But Gronowski’s offseason shoulder injury that cost him spring practices might be a lingering issue.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
-
These recordings blur the lines between memory, trauma, and supernatural experience, reflecting the lingering influence of Jonathan’s actions.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unusually warm and dry weather from late September into early October may be delaying peak fall color in some places, and could also result in a shorter, less vibrant season, said Adam Schneider, assistant professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in a recent blog post.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
For many families and vulnerable individuals, the cost could be prohibitive, potentially delaying or blocking access.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tropical Storm Melissa is crawling through the Caribbean Sea, threatening to unleash life-threatening flooding and mudslides across parts of the region later this week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
These flat robots have multiple modes of movement, capable of jumping or crawling at multiple speeds.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The mogul then posted a clip of herself poking fun at her look while getting final touch-ups of her face mask from her glam team at the Academy Museum gala.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
But instead, teammate Nick Cousins was poking a little fun at Pinto’s contract situation and drew some laughs, including from Pinto himself.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The market is lethargic nationwide, too, with 345,016 sales, down 9% in a year and 18% below average.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Warning signs for parents Altman explained that indicators a child has ingested drugs include being lethargic, having bloodshot eyes and not being able to focus on anything.—
Brenda Ordonez,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With the shutdown dragging on, GOP leaders in Congress will have to decide soon whether to extend that date, and by how much.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The comments came deep into the third week of the shutdown, which is dragging on with no clear end in sight amid a partisan fight in the Senate over federal funding priorities.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Visitors have reported seeing soldiers strolling across the fields, a general on the back porch and the sounds of a cook who worked for the family during the war.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
-
With its historic charm, artistic flare and coastal beauty, visitors love strolling its timeless streets and taking in the Pacific waterfront ambience.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rookie cornerback Upton Stout was one of the 49ers’ seven inactive players for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, which could mean Deommodore Lenoir will get some duty at slot corner.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
-
McLaughlin goes back to being inactive with Tyler Badie healthy again this weekend.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loitering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loitering. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share