LAG Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lag' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lag are dally , dawdle , delay , loiter , and procrastinate . While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. // lagging behind in technology

Q: When might 'dally' be a better fit than 'lag'?

Although the words dally and lag have much in common, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. // stop dallying and get to work

Q: When is 'delay' a more appropriate choice than 'lag'?

In some situations, the words delay and lag are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). // we cannot delay any longer

Q: How do 'loiter' and 'dawdle' relate to one another, in the sense of 'lag'?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. // loitered at several store windows // children dawdling on their way home from school

Q: In what contexts can 'procrastinate' take the place of 'lag'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lag , procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. // procrastinates about making decisions

lag 1 of 3

verb

Definition of lag next

as in to fade

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to delay

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

2 of 3

adjective

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time we're now in the lag end of the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

3 of 3

noun

as in slowdown

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Dissimilar Words

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How is the word lag different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lag are dally, dawdle, delay, loiter, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When might dally be a better fit than lag?

Although the words dally and lag have much in common, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is delay a more appropriate choice than lag?

In some situations, the words delay and lag are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

How do loiter and dawdle relate to one another, in the sense of lag?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

In what contexts can procrastinate take the place of lag?

While in some cases nearly identical to lag, procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

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 lag

Verb

Roughly three-quarters of Americans say their incomes are lagging behind inflation, according to a CBS News poll. —

Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 May 2026 Connecticut’s financial investment in tourism lags considerably behind neighboring states, a fact that has frustrated the state’s hospitality sector for years. —

P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026

Adjective

Get worse over the next few weeks, but that still – that has a lag effect. —

CBS News, 4 May 2026 Faster speeds mean less lag and smoother use for multiple devices. —

Kara McGinley, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

Its 144Hz refresh rate reduces lag, screen tearing, and image ghosting, so your gameplay feels as smooth as possible. —

George Yang, PC Magazine, 5 May 2026 Jet lag, new environments, distractions, and the like can all lead to misplacing something. —

Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lag

Verb

Shows end and fame fades, but the beef stands will stay slinging.

— Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
The notion that men shouldn’t wear makeup is tired, and finally fading.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 May 2026

Definition of fade

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ladyships

lag

laggard

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“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lag. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of lag

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