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
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
Plus, the latest on the condition of the sloths being treated at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and the next steps in their care.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
The preserve is home to wild cats, anteaters, armadillos, and sloths.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
The property is home to more than 100 animals, including zebras, camels, kangaroos, foxes, lemurs, otters and even sloths.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloth
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Plus, the latest on the condition of the sloths being treated at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and the next steps in their care.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
The preserve is home to wild cats, anteaters, armadillos, and sloths.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
The property is home to more than 100 animals, including zebras, camels, kangaroos, foxes, lemurs, otters and even sloths.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 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 22 May. 2026.
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