stagnate -
Cease developing; become inactive or dull
The stagnating economy had left workers nervous about keeping their jobs.
noun
2 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
backlog -
A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done
When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up with, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a week.
verb
3 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
procrastinate -
To keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.
They would procrastinate doing their taxes, because they found it such as stressful and boring activity.
verb
4 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
balk -
To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.
Max had made all the plans to move from his apartment to the senior citizens home, but at the last minute, he balked and just couldn’t go through with it.
verb
5 of 31
Bad /
Delay
audio
shirk -
To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
Employees who shirk their duties result in unhappy customers and lower profits.
verb
6 of 31
Bad /
Delay
audio
deflect -
To direct attention away from a topic
At the press conference the Mayor didn't want to talk about the issue being asked, so he deflected the question and talked about a different subject.
noun
7 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
standstill -
A halt in activity, usually temporary but total.
Traffic came to a standstill after the accident on the highway.
adjective
8 of 31
Bad /
Delay
audio
interminable -
Endless (often used hyperbolically)
Victor dreaded going to the DMV, knowing he would spend an interminable amount of time there.
verb
9 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
hinder -
To create difficulties for someone or something that results in a delay.
He's smart, but his chances of success was hindered by his laziness.
noun
10 of 31
Bad /
Delay
audio
straggler -
A person or animal that is last in a group to do something or the last to get to or leave a place
While the other runners were far ahead of him, the straggler struggled at the back of the line.
noun
11 of 31
Bad /
Delay
Url
audio
impasse -
A situation where no progress is possible due to disagreement or a deadlock.
The peace talks reached an impasse when neither side was willing to compromise.
verb
12 of 31
Bad /
Delay
audio
dally -
To do something slowly or too slowly; to waste time
Ike had dozens of reports to read through, but he decided to dally in the office for most of the day instead of doing his work.
