lingering
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for lingering, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Continuing to exist or be noticeable long after you would expect it to have gone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Continuing to exist or be noticeable long after you would expect it to have gone.
“There was a lingering smell of woodsmoke in the hallway.”
Opposites
2. verb
Present participle of linger: staying somewhere longer than necessary, often because you are reluctant to leave.
“A few guests were still lingering by the door at midnight.”
3. adjective
Slow and drawn out, especially of illness or death.
“After a long and lingering illness, he died at home.”
How to Use Lingering
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral; equally at home in everyday speech and literary description.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lingering and loitering?
Lingering simply means staying on longer than expected, and is neutral or even affectionate. Loitering suggests hanging about with no purpose and carries a suspicious, sometimes criminal, edge — which is why signs say "no loitering" rather than "no lingering".
Can a feeling be lingering?
Yes. Doubts, resentment, sadness, hope and affection are all commonly described as lingering when they persist after the event that caused them has passed.