loiter

verb

ˈlȯi-tər How to pronounce loiter (audio)
Definition of loiternext
as in to linger
to move or act slowly don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of loiter are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," 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

When might dally be a better fit than loiter?

The words dally and loiter can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When is it sensible to use delay instead of loiter?

The meanings of delay and loiter largely overlap; however, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of loiter?

While the synonyms lag and loiter are close in meaning, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

When is procrastinate a more appropriate choice than loiter?

The words procrastinate and loiter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 loiter Some Ukrainian units have already used early versions of these weapons, which can loiter for hours and make autonomous attack decisions after being trained on enough imagery of troops and vehicles. —Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025 There, the crop continued to grow while white-faced ibis and killdeer birds loitered around the water. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Later that year, Iranian-made one-way Shahed-136 loitering munitions operated by Russia began targeting Ukrainian cities and the electricity grid. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Crowder was charged with one count of loitering with intent to commit a crime for the July 22 incident. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loiter
  1. linger
  2. delay
  3. crawl
  4. poke
  5. drag
  6. stroll
Verb
  • The announcement, sparse on specific details, captured the trepidation and lingering ambivalences that AI companies have about policing young users, even as OpenAI begins to implement these basic features nearly three years after the launch of ChatGPT.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The performance was impacted by the lingering effects of operational challenges, delivery delays and store closures initiated last year.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Physical activity has long been associated with lower dementia risk in multiple studies, so much so that the 2024 Lancet Commission identified it as one of 14 factors responsible for preventing or delaying approximately 45% of dementia cases.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The abundance of salmon in Katmai National Park and Bristol Bay in southern Alaska is contributing to a drop in conflict among the bears this year compared to the 2024 competition, which was delayed when one large bear killed another.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of delay
Verb
  • There’s tunnels to crawl through, regular live performances from Quixotic that synchronize with the experience, and a functioning 240-seat theater that plans to host film festivals.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Some coast with healthy double-digit conversion rates, while others crawl along at 5% or 6%.
    — Jon Stojan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.
    — Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Gibson proceeded to the Children’s Chorus room, where two staffers welcomed her to poke through the costume racks.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of poke
Verb
  • Any resulting court case within the Defense Department's own legal system could result in counter lawsuits, which could drag on for months.
    — Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Need to know Nvidia probe drags on.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Last October, Ann Watson strolled into her local Costco with a shopping list and a sense of purpose.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Auciccoo Plus-size 2-piece Outfit Sometimes, loungewear is just perfect for strolling through autumn leaves or taking a long flight where comfort is the key to enjoying the experience.
    — Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of stroll

Browse Nearby Words

logy
loiter
loitered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loiter. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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