as in residual
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The area is still feeling the lingering effects of the hurricane. There are lingering questions about the extent of his involvement in the crime.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in delaying
to move or act slowly
since they were charging by the hour, the house painters lingered in finishing up their work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lingering
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
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
For families dealing with allergies, wildfire smoke, pets or newer homes with lingering chemical odors, upgrading to a real HEPA air purifier can make a noticeable difference.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
With dark skies still lingering early in the week, this is an ideal time to get outside and reconnect with the sky.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Damp conditions inside the drum encourage mildew and lingering odors that can be tough to remove from fabric.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The culture supports this through concepts like la dolce vita and the passeggiata — lingering over meals, enjoying small daily rituals and embracing slower rhythms.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Few expect a resolution to the Taiwan issue, lingering since China and Taiwan split in a civil war in 1949.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Adjective
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
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
For families dealing with allergies, wildfire smoke, pets or newer homes with lingering chemical odors, upgrading to a real HEPA air purifier can make a noticeable difference.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
With dark skies still lingering early in the week, this is an ideal time to get outside and reconnect with the sky.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Damp conditions inside the drum encourage mildew and lingering odors that can be tough to remove from fabric.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The culture supports this through concepts like la dolce vita and the passeggiata — lingering over meals, enjoying small daily rituals and embracing slower rhythms.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Few expect a resolution to the Taiwan issue, lingering since China and Taiwan split in a civil war in 1949.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lingering
Adjective
-
While hygiene requirements restrict reuse of some textiles in hospitality and healthcare settings, Reconomy suggested introducing clearer sorting and decision rules at end-of-life that enable higher-value recycling routes rather than default rag or residual waste streams.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
-
The residual 1 percent now operates at machine speed against an agent with wallet access.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
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
Adjective
-
By putting phones aside, moments are more meaningful, and spontaneous conversations can blossom into lasting friendships.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
Her approach reflects a broader effort to build care models that can support lasting access, equity, and accountability.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
15 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
Verb
-
Before Sweets could be dressed and draped for surgery, the three feet of stick poking out of her body needed to be addressed.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
British politics in 2026 is a landscape of meh, with Farage’s grin poking over the horizon.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Amazon won a court order to block the AI-agents from crawling its sites in March.—
Michelle Castillo,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Sacramento County health inspectors closed four restaurants this week, including Carmichael’s Royal Cuisine, where a live nymph cockroach was found crawling on the salt and pepper shakers.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
For people with creeping cholesterol levels, a healthier diet can go a long way.—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lingering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lingering. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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