straggle

/ˈstræɡəl/
noun
  1. A scattered or irregular group or arrangement.
    • There was a straggle of houses along the dusty road.
    • A straggle of tourists wandered through the museum.
    • The parade ended with a straggle of latecomers.
verb
  1. To move or spread out in a messy, irregular, or scattered way, often behind others.
    • The hikers straggled along the trail, tired and slow.
    • The children straggled behind their parents in the park.
    • After the race, runners straggled across the finish line one by one.
  2. To grow or be arranged in an untidy, irregular manner.
    • Her hair straggled down her back in messy curls.
    • The vines straggled over the fence and into the yard.
    • Weeds straggled across the abandoned garden.
Antonyms
What does "straggle" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean