INDOLENT Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'indolent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words lazy and slothful are common synonyms of indolent . While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity. // the heat made us indolent

Q: Where would 'lazy' be a reasonable alternative to 'indolent'?

While in some cases nearly identical to indolent , lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble. // take-out foods for lazy cooks

Q: When could 'slothful' be used to replace 'indolent'?

The words slothful and indolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for. // fired for being slothful about filling orders

indolent

adjective

ˈin-də-lənt

Definition of indolent next

as in lazy

not easily aroused to action or work an indolent boy who had to be forced to help out with the chores

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How is the word indolent distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words lazy and slothful are common synonyms of indolent. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

Where would lazy be a reasonable alternative to indolent?

While in some cases nearly identical to indolent, lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

When could slothful be used to replace indolent?

The words slothful and indolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

Examples of indolent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When Pinkerton is not in a scene, the singer who plays him often hovers to the side, gesturing and twitching in an indolent trance. —

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023 The goal of prostate cancer screening is to identify and treat the aggressive prostate cancers, while not unnecessarily treating the slow-growing, indolent cancers. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023 The average life expectancy of a 75-year-old man is about 11 to 12 years, and cancers in older men tend to be more indolent, which is why 75 is a reasonable time to stop screening. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up Cashel’s life in India is, at first, indolent and cushy, complete with a wealthy roommate and regular chats over chess with canny Dr. Freemantle. —

Daneet Steffens, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for indolent

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indolent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.