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

adjective

Definition of lag next

as in final

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

2 of 3

verb

as in to fade

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to delay

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lag

3 of 3

noun

as in slowdown

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples of lag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Verb

However, that still lags the Nasdaq’s 23% increase. —

Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024 The Roomba Combo Essential performed well on hardwood too, even though its numbers lagged slightly behind, with 91.45% of rice and 91.70% of sand pickup. —

PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

BenQ Folks who prefer cabling to a media source can do so over HDMI 2.1, which not only offers audio return for integration into a home theater setup but also an automatic low-latency mode for the promise of smooth big-screen console gaming (input lag at 4K/60Hz is 17.9 ms). —

Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024 The Paperwhite has 25 percent faster page turns to reduce lag while scrolling. —

Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lag

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lag. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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Synonyms of lag

adjective

verb

noun

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