as in idling
to pretend to be sick or injured in order to avoid doing work
Because of his frequent absences, his boss suspected he was malingering.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malingering
Verb
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The problem is that powering up the engines, idling them, and then using their massive power just to trundle around the tarmac is scarcely economical.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026 -
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Marilyn, Nixon, the Kennedys, Bay of Pigs—we’ve seen Ellroy messing with this material long before the Quintet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Countless Renditions Campbell’s wasn't the only one messing with the tomato soup cake formula.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The other is fooling humans, particularly the dwindling number of journalists, critics, and other gatekeepers who are still capable of conferring legitimacy by paying attention.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
After killing Minnesota’s first power play, the Avalanche opened the scoring when defenseman Sam Malinski scored his first career playoff goal, fooling Wallstedt with a rising wrist shot.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Spring cleaning bumming you out?—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That’s what was bumming him out.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With fewer matches, shorter timelines and captaincy playing a huge role, identifying the right elite assets can make or break your World Cup Fantasy campaign.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Simmons fits in nicely alongside eighth-graders Ella Parece and Molly Buffington, all playing a big role in the run this time.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The one question lingering after the Garrett trade was whether or not his addition would lure Rams great Aaron Donald, 35, out of retirement for one last ride.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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Psychologists have long been interested in why some slights refuse to fade, and how those lingering injuries can settle in — reshaping a person’s thoughts, mood and sense of self over time.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Even with Morocco resting key players, the day’s match was not much of a competition.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
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Holding hands, sitting close together, or resting a hand on your partner's arm can signal to both of your nervous systems that no one is actually in danger.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Kids who used to run to the field excited to play, suddenly started loafing to the field wearing their crocs with their heads buried in their phones.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Malingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malingering. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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