as in snail
someone who moves slowly or more slowly than others
by three o'clock, only a few stragglers were still making their painful way to the marathon's finish
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Recent Examples of straggler
However, there often are a few stragglers that will need the energy your feeders provide to continue their journey.
—
Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
Your job is to sit back, watch, and prune away any stragglers that don't suit your vision.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
While five-deep crowds chased the group of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth around the course, only a few stragglers found their way to the ropes to watch Potgieter.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Be sure that the rear lure always has a hook, as the bass typically key in on the ‘straggler’ when attacking a ball of bait.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
This spring, Brood II stragglers will emerge between late April and May in states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina, according to a map from the University of Connecticut.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Any straggler cicadas waking up one year early or late this year could be from Brood XIV, a 17-year brood that emerged last year in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, and Brood XXII, 13-year cicadas scheduled to emerge in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi in 2027.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2026
The Yankees and Giants played the official first game of the season, but the majority of teams began play on March 26 (with a few stragglers on March 27).
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In the coming days, weary investors will also need to contend with a fresh batch of jobs data and a few stragglers on the earnings front, including Club name Nike .
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
Your job is to sit back, watch, and prune away any stragglers that don't suit your vision.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
While five-deep crowds chased the group of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth around the course, only a few stragglers found their way to the ropes to watch Potgieter.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Be sure that the rear lure always has a hook, as the bass typically key in on the ‘straggler’ when attacking a ball of bait.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
This spring, Brood II stragglers will emerge between late April and May in states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina, according to a map from the University of Connecticut.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Any straggler cicadas waking up one year early or late this year could be from Brood XIV, a 17-year brood that emerged last year in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, and Brood XXII, 13-year cicadas scheduled to emerge in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi in 2027.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2026
The Yankees and Giants played the official first game of the season, but the majority of teams began play on March 26 (with a few stragglers on March 27).
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In the coming days, weary investors will also need to contend with a fresh batch of jobs data and a few stragglers on the earnings front, including Club name Nike .
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straggler
snail
Noun
-
Both the Desert Museum and the Phoenix Zoo have committed to taking in turtles, pupfish, and snails as needed.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Intersperse the plants around your beans or greens to confuse slugs and snails.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straggler. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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