LOITER Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

loiter

verb

ˈlȯi-tər

Definition of loiter

as in to linger

to move or act slowly don't loiter in this neighborhood after dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Mike MacLennan’s idea of market research as the CEO of a drive-thru AI company is loitering at Burger King. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 26 May 2026 In light of modern threat scenarios—particularly the widespread use of drones and loitering munitions—the Skyranger closes a critical capability gap for Western armed forces. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026 On a recent commute to the Allure office, commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann picked up a new base routine from Laura Mercier and rediscovered the joys of loitering in a Sephora. — Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 1 July 2026 This year’s flights encircle the country and include loitering patterns, those in 2025 appear to just pass by, Ian Petchenik of Flightradrar24 told USA TODAY. — Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for loiter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loiter

Verb

FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The severe weather threat will linger for parts of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, stretching from northern Virginia into southern New Jersey, with cities like Richmond, DC, Baltimore and Philly in the threat zone once again.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of linger

Verb

So, while the Dodgers crawled out of the hole with a season-high 17 hits, the steep cost heightens the pressure on the rest of the rotation the rest of the series.

— Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
The Germans were crawling as far as the street, dashing across the asphalt, then leaping into the second trench.

— Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Compounding concerns, California officials say the Department of Transportation is dragging its feet.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of drag

Verb

Calderón, a big, bald man wearing a gold chain and cross-shaped earrings, sat off to the side, amid an entourage of muscular assistants in polo shirts, poking at his phone.

— Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Find a location with an unobstructed view to the southeast, where the full moon’s orangey disk will poke above the horizon minutes after the moonrise time — though exactly when depends on local terrain and buildings.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of poke

Browse Nearby Words

logy

loiter

loitered

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“Loiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loiter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of loiter

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