as in slug
a lazy person
she regretted ever asking that layabout to be her roommate, as he created the mess of two people and refused to help with anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of layabout
Tamma’s mother is partnered with a drug-dealing layabout; Dan’s mother, a onetime successful novelist, has a worsening heart condition.
—
Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Not surprisingly, some colonists preferred to be layabouts.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025
The revolution is in tatters, and DiCaprio’s Bob, once a celebrity rebel, is now a benignly useless substance-using layabout who tries, in his shambling way, to take care of his and Perfidia’s daughter, Willa (played with a no-nonsense radiance by Chase Infiniti).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
Moore’s then-husband Bruce Willis plays against-type as the abusive layabout husband of hairdresser Joyce (Glenne Headly).
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layabout
Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Not surprisingly, some colonists preferred to be layabouts.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025
The revolution is in tatters, and DiCaprio’s Bob, once a celebrity rebel, is now a benignly useless substance-using layabout who tries, in his shambling way, to take care of his and Perfidia’s daughter, Willa (played with a no-nonsense radiance by Chase Infiniti).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
Moore’s then-husband Bruce Willis plays against-type as the abusive layabout husband of hairdresser Joyce (Glenne Headly).
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layabout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layabout
Noun
-
The second dog, a large mixed breed, was critically wounded by a stray slug and died before it could be brought to an Animal Care Centers of NYC facility for treatment, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In 1975, Caldwell, who had kept the slug, donated it to the museum and sat down with museum officials and told his story.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Uforce is developing several defense technologies, including counter-uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), maritime and strike drones and battlefield software.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Its silhoutte is relaxed but still makes sure to flatter your bum.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
24 Mar. 2026
-
As far as the law is concerned, though, bum deals are a twilight zone.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After a career spent writing paeans to deadbeats and douchebags, of course her take on true love sounds like a horror movie.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Zoey’s deadbeat father, who left her as a baby to become a rock star, does not show up to do any sort of healing.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Ballet flats bring a certain softness, while a brown loafer provides an often necessary weight and balance.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2026
-
To channel the look, pair a bucket hat with a slouchy polo tee and loafers—bright red trousers offer the perfect splash of modernity.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His discoveries promise to upset the gaming tables of every school of thought that wagers on new and untested art for idlers’ rewards: the love of novelty, the will to make or unmake reputations, the wish to be hip or au courant.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
-
Their name exudes the essence of an idler and slacker, but women’s loafers themselves are quite the opposite.—
Gaby Keiderling,
Harper's BAZAAR,
19 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
There are 20 arrondissements within Paris, which spiral out like a snail’s shell with one in the center and 20 at the edge.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ripa asked at the time, inquiring about the awkward positioning of snails in the act.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scar then proceeds to desolate the kingdom, with the help of hyenas, while Simba, in exile, grows up to become a pleasure-hunting, grub-eating sluggard.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
19 July 2019
-
Clearly, supervision at your job is lax, and your sluggard classmate is taking advantage of that.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Layabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layabout. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
