LOITERING Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

loitering 1 of 2

adjective

as in lingering

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Dissimilar Words

loitering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of loiter

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

Adjective

Some victim advocates say human trafficking along Figueroa has escalated since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollback of anti-loitering laws. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Verb

Ukraine’s extensive use of low-cost drones and loitering munitions has shown that relatively cheap platforms can inflict significant damage while forcing opponents to spend costly interceptor missiles and air-defense resources. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026 On a recent commute to the Allure office, commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann picked up a new base routine from Laura Mercier and rediscovered the joys of loitering in a Sephora. — Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 1 July 2026 On one particular muggy day, there had been only a few young men loitering outside before their swim. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 The goal is to reduce crime and loitering at stations through this initiative. — City News Service, Daily News, 29 May 2026 Mike MacLennan’s idea of market research as the CEO of a drive-thru AI company is loitering at Burger King. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 26 May 2026 Fans loitering just outside the barricade started to sense something was changing. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 20 May 2026 This year’s flights encircle the country and include loitering patterns, those in 2025 appear to just pass by, Ian Petchenik of Flightradrar24 told USA TODAY. — Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Russia soon augmented its capabilities by acquiring Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 loitering munitions from Iran. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loitering

Adjective

Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.

— Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

Definition of lingering

Verb

In May, the agency proposed delaying emission standards set to kick in for new light- and medium-duty cars and trucks starting with model year 2027.

— Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 July 2026
But, for older men with no pain or discomfort, doctors may suggest watchful waiting, delaying surgery until the need is clear.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Definition of delaying

Adjective

Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting and drooling, being weak or lethargic, bright red gums and bloodshot eyes.

— Renee Anderson, CBS News, 29 June 2026
When to Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator Always contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the turtle appears injured, such as having a cracked shell, or seems lethargic or sick.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026

Definition of lethargic

Adjective

Over the past three years, Devo have dramatically upped their touring activity after being mostly inactive between 2015 and 2023.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
Uvalde County also reported its first case, bringing the total number of Texas cases to 28, with 22 active and 6 inactive.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of inactive

Adjective

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, 5 July 2026
To the extent that their fellow-citizens refer to them at all, our government functionaries are perceived not as active agents of change but as inert, self-protecting obstructions.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Definition of inert

Verb

On Tuesday, the roller-coaster ride for AI stocks whipped back down, dragging Wall Street lower.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
With the process dragging on for months, the split of drama and comedy into separate departments, with Smith as head of the former, emerged as a likely scenario by mid-May.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Definition of dragging

Browse Nearby Words

loiterers

loitering

loiters

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Style

“Loitering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loitering. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of loitering

adjective

verb

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