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
Thank you so much for your editorial about the sloths.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The recent sloth deaths at Sloth World were avoidable and unnecessary, and the nationwide outcry showed that the public’s appetite for captive animals being used for profit and entertainment continues to dwindle.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
The executive order, published hours after it was announced in a public meeting in Fort Myers, still allowed the entry of sloths scheduled to arrive in Florida before Wednesday with proper documentation, including a captive wildlife importation permit issued by FWC.
—Cristóbal Reyes, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloth
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
The recent sloth deaths at Sloth World were avoidable and unnecessary, and the nationwide outcry showed that the public’s appetite for captive animals being used for profit and entertainment continues to dwindle.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
The executive order, published hours after it was announced in a public meeting in Fort Myers, still allowed the entry of sloths scheduled to arrive in Florida before Wednesday with proper documentation, including a captive wildlife importation permit issued by FWC.
—Cristóbal Reyes, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloth
Cite this Entry
“Sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloth. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
