TARRYING Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

tarrying 1 of 2

adjective

as in lingering

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tarrying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tarry

as in waiting

to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time upon seeing the sun beginning to sink in the sky, we realized we had tarried too long on the summit of the mountain

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as in delaying

to move or act slowly the dean tarried in making his decision, still not sure if he should suspend the student or not

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as in staying

to reside as a temporary guest he tarried with us all summer, sleeping on the screened-in porch most nights

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tarrying

Adjective

No more distractions, no more lingering questions, just a baller who loves this sport and continues to level up.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Although the treatment significantly reduced the cancer, follow-up exams showed lingering traces of the disease.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

Rural leaders will probably follow the urban practice of ensuring community input – as required by Congress – before allowing tax-delaying investments by wealthy financial backers.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026
In a 2022 One Earth study of more than 47,000 people across 68 countries, researcher Kelton Minor and colleagues found that warmer nighttime temperatures shorten sleep, mostly by delaying when people fall asleep.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of delaying

Verb

Text messages outline concerns over a diabetic coma Blodgett was staying at a foster home in metro Phoenix where only the house manager was trained in managing his diabetes.

— Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
There are hotels where the lobby is the main event, designed as much for the people dropping in for a drink as those actually staying there.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of staying

Verb

As of Thursday, that emergency fund had a remaining balance of $163 million.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Kretinsky has struck a deal with West Ham’s remaining shareholders to increase his stake from 27 per cent to 46 per cent, according to a press release sent out on behalf of the Royal Mail owner on Friday.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of remaining

Verb

In addition, people are urged to secure to chains to avoid dragging and potential spark and not to toss cigarette butts out of vehicles.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
As mentioned previously, Babcock obstinately played a late-career Marleau in significant minutes during his time in Toronto with dragging results.

— Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dragging

Verb

The southern Sinai peninsula is a popular tourist destination, with many travelers visiting the region to snorkel and dive in the Red Sea, the outlet reported.

— Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Poul Thorsen, a research investigator who was working as a visiting scientist at the CDC, was extradited to the United States following 11 years avoiding capture in Denmark, according to federal prosecutors.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of visiting

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.

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“Tarrying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tarrying. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tarrying

adjective

verb

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