do-nothing

1 of 2

noun

do-noth·​ing ˈdü-ˌnə-thiŋ How to pronounce do-nothing (audio)
: a shiftless or lazy person

do-nothing

2 of 2

adjective

: marked by inactivity or failure to make positive progress
do-nothingism noun

Examples of do-nothing in a Sentence

Noun the new boss quickly figured out who the do-nothings were and fired them he indiscriminately dismisses the state legislators as a bunch of do-nothings who live at the taxpayers' expense
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty was sentenced today to one year in prison for his role in an elaborate scheme to funnel money to do-nothing subcontractors with ties to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for Madigan’s influence on legislation in Springfield. Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 About a dozen have visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, who in April caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire aimed at 'do-nothing' Democrats. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025 That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025 In the political messaging battle, though, whether the assessment of a do-nothing Congress and Speaker is true or not is beside the point. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of do-nothing was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-nothing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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