as in snail
someone who moves slowly or more slowly than others
by three o'clock, only a few stragglers were still making their painful way to the marathon's finish
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Recent Examples of straggler
Be sure that the rear lure always has a hook, as the bass typically key in on the ‘straggler’ when attacking a ball of bait.
—
Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
This spring, Brood II stragglers will emerge between late April and May in states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina, according to a map from the University of Connecticut.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
They’re known, aptly, as stragglers.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2026
The Yankees and Giants played the official first game of the season, but the majority of teams began play on March 26 (with a few stragglers on March 27).
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In the coming days, weary investors will also need to contend with a fresh batch of jobs data and a few stragglers on the earnings front, including Club name Nike .
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
As the crowd loops onto W 46th Street, a few stragglers follow behind, but a majority of marchers have reentered the park.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Some straggler cicadas from Brood II may emerge in several eastern states this year.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2026
Murphy snapped the shot just as the seraphic straggler picked his head up to get a sense of his bearings, then later sauntered back to rejoin his comrades.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
This spring, Brood II stragglers will emerge between late April and May in states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina, according to a map from the University of Connecticut.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
They’re known, aptly, as stragglers.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2026
The Yankees and Giants played the official first game of the season, but the majority of teams began play on March 26 (with a few stragglers on March 27).
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
In the coming days, weary investors will also need to contend with a fresh batch of jobs data and a few stragglers on the earnings front, including Club name Nike .
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
As the crowd loops onto W 46th Street, a few stragglers follow behind, but a majority of marchers have reentered the park.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Some straggler cicadas from Brood II may emerge in several eastern states this year.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2026
Murphy snapped the shot just as the seraphic straggler picked his head up to get a sense of his bearings, then later sauntered back to rejoin his comrades.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straggler
snail
Noun
-
Our party waited 10 minutes to be seated and was served wine shortly thereafter, but the food came out at a snail’s pace.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The tide pools around Haystack and elsewhere along Cannon Beach are extraordinary, with colorful sea stars, anemones, crabs, snails, coral, sponges, and sea slugs.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straggler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straggler. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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