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 Fights are common, Koffi said, pointing to people who loiter as the main contributor. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025 Frontline democracies including Poland, South Korea, Taiwan, and Ukraine should be heavily armed with short-range missiles and rocket launchers, mobile air defenses, loitering drones, and mines to repel invasions. Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025 Later that same day, a former deputy was arrested for allegedly loitering and prowling near Kirk’s home, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025 Using a plausible cover story, the red team passed front-desk security, loitered in stairwells, and accessed upper levels with lower foot traffic. Jochen Schwenk, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loiter
Verb
  • This slight chance of thunderstorms lingers into Wednesday as the upper low passes over the region.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
  • But there are still lingering worries about how long Amazon and Apple will keep movies in theaters before sending them to streaming.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Apple looks to have delayed the release of the new macOS hardware into 2026.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The flight has since been delayed and is now expected to depart from Sydney at 7:25 a.m.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • In particular, website owners and SEO experts wanted to know how Cloudflare planned to block Google's bot from scraping sites to fuel AI overviews without risking blocking the same bot from crawling for valuable search engine placements.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
  • Both are unable, under any circumstances, to resist crawling under someone doing a downward-facing dog.
    Erika Sjule, New Yorker, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The hard foul came after Sheldon poked Clark in the eye in the third quarter.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
  • The couple began dating in 2023 and frequently poke fun at each other on their social media pages.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • That’s good for everyone, even expat journalists dragging their kids along to cover a new story.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
  • The plucky little superdog drags Superman to the Fortress of Solitude, where he is treated by a posse of robots.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Iris Delgado, 33, has strolled the Home Depot parking lot nearly every day with a cart of water bottles for day laborers and a cellphone to occasionally livestream.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • In other words, curiosity seekers can stroll by the Littrells’ house with their feet in the water, but can’t stop to hang out and grab some rays.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loiter. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loiter

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