Illustration of sloth
- sloth 2
plural sloths
ˈslȯths 
ˈslȯṯẖz,
ˈsläths,
ˈsläṯẖz,
also ˈslōths,
ˈslōṯẖz
1
a
: disinclination to action or labor : indolence
b
: spiritual apathy and inactivity
the deadly sin of sloth
2
: any of various slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals (genera Bradypus and Choloepus) that inhabit tropical forests of South and Central America, hang from the branches back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits compare three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth
Examples of sloth in a Sentence
the sins of gluttony and sloth
a youth inclined more toward sloth than athletics
Recent Examples on the Web
As their habitats become increasingly fragmented, sloths are forced to make more ground crossings to reach the safety of the next tree.
—
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Scenes like this are increasingly common as habitats become fragmented and sloths have to make more ground crossings to reach the next tree.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Learn about Nayara’s sloth habitat protection efforts through an on-property experience called the Secret Life of Tony the Sloth, where guests learn about a sloth that has called Nayara home for many years.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
The presence of the sloths, though, caused the local police in Guardamar del Segura to issue their own warning.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloth
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Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Scenes like this are increasingly common as habitats become fragmented and sloths have to make more ground crossings to reach the next tree.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Learn about Nayara’s sloth habitat protection efforts through an on-property experience called the Secret Life of Tony the Sloth, where guests learn about a sloth that has called Nayara home for many years.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
The presence of the sloths, though, caused the local police in Guardamar del Segura to issue their own warning.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloth
Cite this Entry
“Sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloth. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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