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
The Post has repeatedly reported on Wallach from him being cited for allegedly keeping a sloth and wallaby in unsafe conditions to allegedly bringing a sloth to a Brooklyn tattoo parlor without a permit.
—
Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sloth
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Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sloth
Cite this Entry
“Sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloth. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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