as in leisurely
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
a mysterious, cloaked figure with a strange, dragging walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulling
to cause to follow by applying steady force on
the deliveryman dragged the barrels over against the wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
one of the climbers was beginning to drag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawling
to move slowly
the play dragged and seemed to take forever to get to its predictable conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dragging
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026
The complaint states that Sorsby only has until June 22 to make a decision regarding the NFL Supplemental Draft, and the NCAA is dragging its feet in this process.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Higher rates would slow inflation at the cost of hurting the economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
On Saturday, the freight train struck a bus that had been stopped on the tracks at a red light, sparking a fire that engulfed the vehicle and dragging several nearby vehicles along the tracks.
—Reuters, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Higher rates would slow inflation but at the cost of hurting the economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Also, plant near a water source because dragging a watering can or 100-foot-long hose to your garden during the height of summer isn’t fun.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
Beaulah orders Joaquin to clean up the mess, which involves dragging his brother to rehab and possibly intimidating Wes’s highly suspicious widow, Whitney (Olivia Rose Keegan), into leaving town.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026
That’s led to a stark split between Wall Street analysts and energy experts, who have been warning that oil supplies could head off a cliff in the coming months or even weeks, dragging the global economy down in the process.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Verb
The uncanny vision is made even eerier when Hoop spots her late mother dragging her five children through the human tide.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026
The complaint states that Sorsby only has until June 22 to make a decision regarding the NFL Supplemental Draft, and the NCAA is dragging its feet in this process.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Higher rates would slow inflation at the cost of hurting the economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
On Saturday, the freight train struck a bus that had been stopped on the tracks at a red light, sparking a fire that engulfed the vehicle and dragging several nearby vehicles along the tracks.
—Reuters, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Higher rates would slow inflation but at the cost of hurting the economy and dragging on prices for stocks and other investments.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Also, plant near a water source because dragging a watering can or 100-foot-long hose to your garden during the height of summer isn’t fun.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
Beaulah orders Joaquin to clean up the mess, which involves dragging his brother to rehab and possibly intimidating Wes’s highly suspicious widow, Whitney (Olivia Rose Keegan), into leaving town.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026
That’s led to a stark split between Wall Street analysts and energy experts, who have been warning that oil supplies could head off a cliff in the coming months or even weeks, dragging the global economy down in the process.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging
Adjective
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They’re also covered in an airy mesh upper material that facilitates airflow during activities — including sweaty workouts and leisurely strolls.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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Yes, there are two international trips, including one to the literal other side of the world — a destination that makes Mexico City’s 7,200 feet of altitude seem like a leisurely stroll down the block, making the Niners the league’s official guinea pigs for global domination.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The Wall Street wine guys of the eighties, now elderly, seem to be pulling the ladder up behind them.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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This entire island’s economy used to depend on them pulling the heavy wooden wheels of old-school olive presses.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Electric propulsion also enables Blitz to have a low acoustic as well as infra-red signature, delaying detection.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Temporarily delaying action on a state law that would open the door for a lot of homes to be built across the city.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Police said the driver was eventually able to escape by crawling out a window.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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Staff started out by wearing bear masks and animal furs, then crawling into the enclosure to spoon-feed the cubs formula.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Pool service can be a bit slow during busy times, but once your perfectly prepared daiquiri arrives, all is forgiven.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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So future agreements could involve cooler normalisation, selective security cooperation, quieter diplomacy and a slower expansion.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The film eliminated even a gesture toward a plot while showing solitary nonprofessional and real-life ranch-hand Misael Saavedra chopping and hauling logs in the Argentinian hinterlands (in actuality, Alonso’s family’s ranch).—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
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In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday, stunning the field by avoiding the runoff her rivals had hoped would expose lingering doubts about her ability to win in November.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
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School closings Several buildings in the Utica Community Schools district, based in Sterling Heights, are closed on Tuesday, May 19, because of lingering power outages.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Inflation rates are creeping above average wage increases, and could stay there until the situation in Iran is resolved.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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For people with creeping cholesterol levels, a healthier diet can go a long way.—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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