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

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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

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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

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

Adjective

With Baja mode activated, the twin-turbo V-6 engages the turbochargers' anti-lag function, and there's negligible delay in the power delivery during the quick on/off throttle sequences common to desert running. —

David Beard, Car and Driver, 20 June 2022 And some more good news for lovers of the distinctive fusillade produced by the original Impreza rally cars: this one keeps anti-lag, injecting fuel into the turbocharger to keep it spinning off-throttle. —

Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022

Verb

In the economic recovery that followed, consumption soared for goods and services — both those from overseas as well as domestically — while some exports took a hit as the demand from other countries lagged that seen in the US. —

Alicia Wallace, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025 Windows 11 adoption is still lagging behind Windows 10, and millions of machines simply can’t upgrade to the latest OS due to Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements. —

Tom Warren, The Verge, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

OnePlus lags behind its competitors in this area, as both Google and Samsung offer seven years of software support for their phones, including the Pixel 8a and S24 FE. —

PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025 This is when Johnson personally experienced the lag in Los Angeles' evacuation notices. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lag

Adjective

The exact cause of the fire, which killed 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 homes and businesses, remains under investigation, and a final determination could take many months.

— Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
There were 18 matches, 64 goals, three hat-tricks and plenty of drama on the final day of the new-look league phase of the Champions League.

— Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025

Definition of final

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“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lag. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of lag

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verb

noun

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