LAGGING Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

lagging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lagging

as in slow

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed the lagging pace of work on the project was worrisome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lagging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lag

as in fading

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delaying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 lagging

Adjective

Every initiative should identify its operational leading indicator, financial lagging indicator, value owner and realization mechanism. — Todd Bernson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Just last month, Microsoft began layoffs of 20% of its Xbox employees as part of a sweeping reorganization to revive the company’s lagging games division. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves. — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 So while America is most likely still a highly desirable place for all kinds of investors, from the average person putting money into a 401(k) to a professional trader, the lagging performance this year is more than your typical year. — Christian Orozco, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025 Layer on infrastructure costs, amortization, new storage mandates, refinery retrofits for changing crude blends and the lagging effects of the LCFS credit. — Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 Reporting is inconsistent and lagging. — Miami Herald, 1 July 2025

Verb

In the space of 18 months, China has gone from lagging far behind the US to hosting multiple AI models that are nipping at the heels of Silicon Valley’s champions and gaining major traction among users globally. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The initiatives are expected to reassure investors who are concerned that Apple is lagging in the AI race. — Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Vision is another area where the second-year back is lagging behind Stevenson. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 The Stoxx 600 is up 10% in 2026 so far, lagging its North American counterpart. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 After rapidly closing the gap between Gemini and other frontier models last year, Google now appears to be lagging. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 Viraj Puri, who founded Gotham Greens in Brooklyn told the Journal that, despite lagging sales, his company opted against less seeding. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 California is both leading and lagging in the latest rankings unveiled on Tuesday, July 28. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 28 July 2026 The real story isn’t one generation lagging behind or catching up. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lagging

Adjective

Researchers used the device to process time-series data, including signals that contained both rapid and slow changes.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
However, there is another, slower and more insidious evacuation taking place, and that is the steady migration from rural areas all around the world to burgeoning cities, which now host more than half the world’s population.

— John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

Sacramento Regional Transit will adjust six bus routes beginning Sunday, including delaying departure times and eliminating one early-morning trip from Florin.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The discovery prevented the plane from being moved on schedule, delaying a flight and forcing JetBlue to use a different aircraft instead, according to the affidavit, an interruption estimated to cost the airline over $2,400.

— Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of delaying

Adjective

Some dialogues seem leisurely and inconsequential, while some major revelations are over in seconds.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Isbell’s lyrics unfold in that long, leisurely way that the hottest months of the year do, recounting unhurried gatherings of friends and family.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

In astrology, Venus governs love, pleasure, money, relationships and values, while Pluto exposes what’s lingering beneath the surface.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
Any lingering hope that Netanyahu could be convinced to take part in such an endeavor now looks for the birds.

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of lingering

Browse Nearby Words

laggers

lagging

lagniappe

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“Lagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lagging. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lagging

adjective

verb

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