straggling
Trailing off untidily
Straggling describes things spread out irregularly or trailing behind.
A straggling group moves in a disorganized, drawn-out line rather than together: Straggling hikers arrived at camp well after dark.
Straggling plants or hair grow in sparse, untidy directions.
The word suggests lack of order or cohesion—things that should be compact but aren't.
Spread irregularly about
- spread outExtended over distance
- dispersedSpread widely apart
- trailingFollowing behind something
- strewnSpread irregularly about
stretched · sprawling · dotted · sparse · intermittent · irregular · patchy · far-flung
Excessively covered in vegetation
- unkemptUntidy in appearance
- untidyLacking neatness or order
- scragglyIrregularly sparse and messy
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
unruly · tangled · disheveled · ragged · bushy · wayward · uneven · untrimmed
Following at a distance
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- falling backReturning to earlier position
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
- wanderingTraveling with no fixed course
drifting · ambling · loitering · tarrying · shuffling · plodding · dragging · delayed
Lacking systematic arrangement
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
- ragtagDisorganized and mismatched
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
broken up · disbanded · dispersing · thinning · separating · uncoordinated · chaotic · dwindling
scattered
Spread irregularly about
- spread outExtended over distance
- dispersedSpread widely apart
- trailingFollowing behind something
strewn · stretched · sprawling · dotted · sparse · intermittent · irregular · patchy · far-flung · separated
overgrown
Excessively covered in vegetation
wild · unruly · tangled · disheveled · ragged · bushy · wayward · uneven · untrimmed · neglected
trailing behind
Following at a distance
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- falling backReturning to earlier position
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
wandering · drifting · ambling · loitering · tarrying · shuffling · plodding · dragging · delayed · slow-moving
disorganized
Lacking systematic arrangement
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
- ragtagDisorganized and mismatched
fragmented · broken up · disbanded · dispersing · thinning · separating · uncoordinated · chaotic · dwindling · remnants