tarried
Stayed too long
Tarried is the past tense of tarry, meaning to linger, delay, or stay longer than intended.
The word is literary and old-fashioned: They tarried at the inn until the storm passed.
It suggests unhurried delay rather than mere waiting—dwelling somewhere when one might have moved on.
lingered
Remained beyond expected
- loiteredWaited idly somewhere
- dawdledMoved slowly, idly
- dalliedIdled or delayed
- remainedStayed in place
stayed · waited · paused · hesitated · hovered · idled · lazed · lounged
lingered
Remained beyond expected
remained · stayed · waited · paused · hesitated · hovered · idled · lazed · lounged · meandered
delayed
Made to wait longer
- postponedMoved to a later date
- procrastinatedPostponed action unnecessarily
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
hesitated · wavered · dithered · temporized · put off · held back · lagged · slowed · deferred · paused
leisurely
Done without urgency
gradual · languid · relaxed · easy · gentle · patient · deliberate · plodding · ponderous · sedate