linger -
To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave
The waiter and waitress staff needed to head home, but they first had to wait for the lingering customers to leave.
verb
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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
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evade -
To escape or avoid something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
The thief managed to evade the police by hiding in an alley.
adjective
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stagnate -
Cease developing; become inactive or dull
The stagnating economy had left workers nervous about keeping their jobs.
noun
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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.
adjective
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stagnant -
Showing no activity; dull and sluggish
In the last few decades, the income of the richest 10% has increased while that of the bottom 90% has remained stagnant.
noun
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obstacle -
Something that blocks your way so that movement or progress is prevented or made more difficult.
Bill wanted to become a doctor, but a major obstacle that made that goal difficult was that he hated studying.
noun
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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
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defuse -
To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
The mediator worked hard to defuse the conflict and tension between the two sides that were trying to negotiate an agreement.
noun
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impediment -
Something that makes progress or movement difficult or impossible
Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was only19 months old, but she overcame these impediments and went to college at Radcliffe and became a great author and speaker.
noun
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slacker -
A person who avoids work or effort
Chris was the ultimate slacker at work, asleep at his desk half the time.
noun
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logjam -
A situation where progress is halted due to a buildup of problems, delays, or obstacles.
The political negotiations reached a logjam when neither side was willing to compromise.
