OpenSynonym

sagging

/ˈsæɡɪŋ/

VERB

1. Sinking or bending downward

The act of bending, drooping, or sinking below a normal horizontal or upright position because of weight, pressure, weakness, or loss of support.

1.1. Bending downward under weight

Describes an object or structure bending, drooping, or sinking in the middle or at a particular point because it is carrying weight or experiencing pressure.

Synonyms

  • drooping
  • bending
  • bowing
  • dipping
  • sinking
  • hanging
  • slumping
  • settling

Antonyms

  • rising
  • straightening
  • stiffening
  • tightening
  • holding firm

Examples

  • The old mattress showed signs of wear with its sagging surface.
  • The overloaded bookshelf was visibly sagging under the weight of its contents.
  • The once-taut rope was now sagging in the middle, threatening to snap.
  • The porch roof needed repairs because it was clearly sagging in certain areas.

Related Words

1.2. Leaning or settling from an upright position

Describes something losing its upright position and leaning, sinking, or giving way from its original vertical alignment.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • standing upright
  • straightening
  • rising
  • remaining erect

Examples

  • The old fence was sagging toward the garden after years of exposure to the weather.
  • One side of the damaged frame was sagging away from the wall.
  • The weakened support caused the structure to begin sagging to one side.

Related Words

VERB

2. Losing firmness, strength, or vitality

The process of becoming less firm, elastic, vigorous, energetic, or successful; declining in strength, intensity, or activity.

2.1. Losing physical firmness or elasticity

Describes skin, muscles, fabric, or another material becoming loose, soft, weak, or less firm than before.

Synonyms

  • drooping
  • loosening
  • slackening
  • softening
  • weakening
  • wilting
  • slumping

Antonyms

  • tightening
  • firming
  • stiffening
  • strengthening
  • toning

Examples

  • The fabric was sagging after repeated washing.
  • The skin around the jawline was sagging with age.
  • The cushions were sagging after years of regular use.

Related Words

2.2. Declining energy or emotional strength

Describes someone's energy, enthusiasm, motivation, or emotional spirits weakening under fatigue, disappointment, worry, or prolonged difficulty.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • reviving
  • recovering
  • rallying
  • strengthening
  • flourishing
  • thriving

Examples

  • Her shoulders slumped, and her posture betrayed a sense of sagging energy.
  • The team's enthusiasm was sagging after several unsuccessful attempts.
  • His spirits were sagging as the difficult journey continued.

Related Words

2.3. Declining activity, demand, or performance

Describes business activity, sales, demand, performance, or intensity decreasing and losing momentum over time.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • Consumer demand was sagging during the final months of the year.
  • The company's sales were sagging despite its promotional efforts.
  • Interest in the event was sagging after the initial excitement.

Related Words

  • downturn
  • slowdown
  • contraction
  • reduction
  • deterioration
  • regression
  • loss of momentum

VERB

3. Moving slowly and heavily

To walk or move slowly, heavily, or listlessly, often because of fatigue, reluctance, or lack of energy.

3.1. Walking or moving with a weary gait

Describes someone moving slowly and heavily, often with a drooping posture or dragging steps because of exhaustion or lack of energy.

Synonyms

  • plodding
  • shuffling
  • trudging
  • dragging
  • shambling
  • lumbering
  • slouching

Antonyms

Examples

  • The exhausted hikers were sagging along the final stretch of the trail.
  • The tired workers came sagging out of the factory at the end of their shift.
  • The children were sagging behind their parents after hours of walking.

Related Words

VERB

4. Causing something to bend or give way

To make something bend, sink, or yield under weight or pressure by loading or placing a burden on it.

4.1. Loading or burdening something

Describes placing weight or a burden on an object or structure in a way that makes it bend, sink, or give way.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The heavy equipment was sagging the temporary platform.
  • The accumulated snow was sagging the weak roof supports.
  • The excessive load was sagging the wooden structure.

Related Words

VERB

5. Wearing trousers below the waist

The style or act of wearing trousers or shorts with the waistband positioned well below the natural waist, often exposing some or all of the underwear.

5.1. Wearing pants low on the hips

Describes wearing trousers or shorts with the waistband hanging noticeably below the waistline, commonly associated with a loose or low-slung fashion style.

Synonyms

  • wearing low
  • hanging low
  • wearing below the waist
  • wearing below the hips

Antonyms

  • wearing high
  • wearing at the waist
  • pulling up

Examples

  • He was sagging his jeans so low that his underwear was visible.
  • The teenager was sagging his trousers below his hips.
  • The fashion trend involved sagging pants well below the waist.

Related Words

NOUN

6. The act or condition of hanging or sinking downward

The state or action of something bending, drooping, or sinking below its normal position, often because of weight, pressure, or weakness.

6.1. Physical drooping or downward bending

Refers to the visible condition or movement of an object or structure that bends, hangs, or sinks below its normal level.

Synonyms

  • drooping
  • sinking
  • bending
  • slumping
  • bowing
  • settling

Antonyms

Examples

  • The sagging of the old mattress made it uncomfortable to sleep on.
  • The sagging in the middle of the rope indicated that it needed to be tightened.
  • The engineer inspected the sagging of the roof before approving the repairs.

Related Words

6.2. Low-slung clothing style

Refers to a fashion style in which trousers or shorts are worn below the natural waistline, allowing some or all of the underwear to be visible.

Synonyms

  • low-slung pants
  • low-rise style
  • low-waisted clothing
  • wearing pants low

Antonyms

  • high-waisted style
  • high-rise clothing
  • waist-high fit

Examples

  • The sagging of his jeans exposed the waistband of his underwear.
  • Sagging became a recognizable clothing style in some youth fashion cultures.
  • The school introduced a dress code restricting excessive sagging.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

7. Hanging low on the waist

Worn or positioned low on the waist, especially describing trousers or shorts that hang below the natural waistline.

7.1. Clothing worn below the natural waist

Describes trousers or shorts positioned unusually low on the hips, often with the waistband below its normal position and underwear partly exposed.

Synonyms

  • low-slung
  • low-waisted
  • low-rise
  • hanging low
  • worn below the waist

Antonyms

  • high-waisted
  • high-rise
  • waist-high
  • properly fitted

Examples

  • He wore sagging jeans that hung well below his waist.
  • The dress code prohibited sagging trousers in the classroom.
  • His sagging shorts exposed the waistband of his underwear.

Related Words