as in poor
of low quality
that was bum advice that you got from that website
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cheeks
the part of the body upon which someone sits
I decided to get off my bum and get some exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in hobo
an idle worthless person
if you expect an allowance, you have to do some chores and stop being such a bum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beggar
a homeless wanderer who may beg or steal for a living
I feel sorry for bums and occasionally give them money
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
spent most of the summer just bumming around the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bum
Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026
Expensive trip to modern backcountry huts Backcountry skiing is no longer just for ski bums.
—Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Democrats’ most visible strategy appears to be trying to bum a few bucks from the grassroots—when the grassroots’ greatest power is in protest, boycott, and other unified mobilization efforts.
—Sarah Stankorb, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bum
Noun
The business is the baby of an entrepreneurial ski-bum named Mark Johnson and a fifth-generation potato farmer named Brian Kirschenmann.
—Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026
Expensive trip to modern backcountry huts Backcountry skiing is no longer just for ski bums.
—Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was bummed out by Tech’s decision.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Democrats’ most visible strategy appears to be trying to bum a few bucks from the grassroots—when the grassroots’ greatest power is in protest, boycott, and other unified mobilization efforts.
—Sarah Stankorb, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bum
Adjective
-
City officials say the long-term leases make buying Liberty Station a poor investment for any potential buyer other than Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their weekly grocery bill has dropped from the equivalent of about $400 to $267; fuel and public transport are 40% cheaper; and GP visits cost 25% less – with same-day appointments replacing week-long waits.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Respect yourself by choosing quality items over the cheapest possible options, then treat those purchases with care.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Atrani In Positano’s quieter Fornillo area, this three-bedroom villa includes multiple terraces and garden spaces for dining, lounging, and sunset BBQs—and is a smart choice for those traveling with a larger group.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The River features a winding lazy river, splash pad, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style lounging areas, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.—
Mosaic
Mar. 8,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So many terrible things happen that the reader develops a kind of flinch, bracing for the next calamity whenever there is a brief lull in the misery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
My actions were selfish; my actions were terrible.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed.—
Jim Moore,
Outdoor Life,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As Yasmin takes the reins of Whitney’s blackmail empire, the rotten core of the whole capitalist system is laid bare.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Residents have been suffering with structural issues, water leaks, and rotten floors, and the residents of the middle tier of the building were ordered to vacate with two days' notice in June of last year, Preservation Chicago said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His work centers on structure, balance, and durability, helping ensure that treatment plans rest on sound clinical principles.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
However, part of the DOJ’s case rested on the bundling of sports and concert tickets, as well as the alleged requirement that primary ticket sellers for major concert venues provide support for the distribution of a team’s season tickets.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Knicks were held to less than 100 points for only the seventh time and had their fourth-worst three-point shooting performance of the season, going eight for 34.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Pacers have the second-worst record in the NBA, 1 ½ games better than Sacramento.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bum. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
