LAGGING Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

lagging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lagging

as in slow

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed the lagging pace of work on the project was worrisome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lagging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lag

as in fading

to lose bodily strength or vigor during the fourth quarter the whole team seemed to lag

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delaying

to move or act slowly the tired puppy was lagging behind the rest of the pack

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 lagging

Adjective

Every initiative should identify its operational leading indicator, financial lagging indicator, value owner and realization mechanism. — Todd Bernson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Just last month, Microsoft began layoffs of 20% of its Xbox employees as part of a sweeping reorganization to revive the company’s lagging games division. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves. — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 So while America is most likely still a highly desirable place for all kinds of investors, from the average person putting money into a 401(k) to a professional trader, the lagging performance this year is more than your typical year. — Christian Orozco, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025 Layer on infrastructure costs, amortization, new storage mandates, refinery retrofits for changing crude blends and the lagging effects of the LCFS credit. — Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 Reporting is inconsistent and lagging. — Miami Herald, 1 July 2025

Verb

The uniform lessons came forward as part of a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD that was implemented due to years of lagging academic performance districtwide. — Lina Ruiz october 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 His message to men dealing with low energy, slow recovery or lagging strength is practical. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Open-weight models have generally been seen as lagging the capabilities of the best closed systems. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 That's because the micro-level contest-specific data is lagging behind the macro-level national data. — Nathan Gonzales Cq-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Prices are already dropping across some seriously good phones, making now a great time to ditch your lagging device and upgrade your daily tech for less. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 But commercial vehicles are lagging behind, in part because of the lack of charging and refueling networks on long-haul truck routes. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 The city is lagging compared with major cities in terms of ridership on its public transit system, when comparing pre- and post-pandemic periods. — Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Executive teams end up relying on lagging indicators like monthly safety logs, turnover metrics and workers’ comp claims that arrive weeks after the unsafe conditions occurred. — Allan Malcolm, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging

Adjective

The slow rate at which this is occurring indicates this cosmic vampirism will last for hundreds of thousands to billions of years.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The problem is that these systems are slow, expensive and don’t scale.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

New England beat Buffalo so the public isn't exactly fading the Patriots, but this still feels like a bit of a trap line to me.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Efforts are underway to rekindle this fading heritage before their skills are lost.

— Kelly Kasulis Cho, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fading

Verb

And more people are entering the system than leaving it, delaying help for newly homeless families.

— Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026
Though profits and revenue growth have generally been strong this year, the IPO market has stalled, with Oura and Bamboo Insurance delaying their offerings last month.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of delaying

Adjective

Jalsa has excellent food, leisurely service, and a robot waiter of unclear utility.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The exterior is well equipped for leisurely days—including a shaded hammock, large deck, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs beneath a string of bistro lights.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

While critics claim the court cases are politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition, the government insists the country’s judiciary is independent and free from political influence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Those tasks had often depended on personal relationships rather than formal job requirements, and the researchers found those ties were weakening.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

While Beverly Hills and West Hollywood bounced back after the pandemic, Santa Monica continues to struggle with retail vacancies and lingering economic woes.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The rich tomato sauce brought plenty of flavor, the Italian sausage added a savory bite and the Calabrian peppers gave the dish a lingering heat without overwhelming everything else.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

Like yet another Kenneth Walker III outburst, including a 76-yard run when the Chiefs were sagging late in the third quarter.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Sand-like granules collecting in gutters, curling or missing shingles, brittle or cracking shingles, sagging sections and indoor leaks or ceiling stains are the standard indicators that a roof is failing.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sagging

Browse Nearby Words

laggers

lagging

lagniappe

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lagging

adjective

verb

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