as in slug
a lazy person
he snapped instructions to the deadbeats who were standing around watching the work pile up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadbeat
The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Michael Mando was a relatively minor player in the Orphan Black universe, appearing in early seasons as Vic, Sarah's deadbeat ex-boyfriend.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025
Developing the skills to avoid deadbeat roommates: priceless.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Keery, with a dirty-blond dye job and a sweet deadbeat demeanor, might draw some Stranger Things fans, especially since the mix of ‘80s nostalgia with creeping dread, gory set-pieces, droll character banter and humor hatched out of fear land somewhere near that show’s tonal wavelength.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Michael Mando was a relatively minor player in the Orphan Black universe, appearing in early seasons as Vic, Sarah's deadbeat ex-boyfriend.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025
Developing the skills to avoid deadbeat roommates: priceless.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Keery, with a dirty-blond dye job and a sweet deadbeat demeanor, might draw some Stranger Things fans, especially since the mix of ‘80s nostalgia with creeping dread, gory set-pieces, droll character banter and humor hatched out of fear land somewhere near that show’s tonal wavelength.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat
Noun
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Providing ample shade and maintaining healthy soil can help prevent issues, including occasional damage from slugs and snails, root rot, and powdery mildew.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
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To make this mulch, crush broken terracotta pieces into smaller chunky shards and scatter them around snail and slug-vulnerable plants, including lettuces, hostas, or strawberries.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This delay has raised concerns about the safety of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles operating in unpredictable environments.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Aguilar has specifically faced sharp scrutiny in recent months by councilmembers who have encouraged the director to focus on pressing issues like surveillance cameras and drone policies.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are close-ups of hands kneading dough, a snail sliming its way up a window and Cathy prodding a jellied fish with her finger.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Pest Control with Cardboard Slugs and snails are drawn to cool, damp cardboard.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Here, in the rugged, remote Santa Cruz Mountains, one of California’s coastal ranges, the counterculture had found one of its first bucolic, dharma-bum milieus.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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Aspen, Colorado In 1989, when a five-star, ski-in, ski-out hotel called the Little Nell opened on the site of a ski-bum bar, Aspen left its counterculture hippie days in the dust and transitioned to an A-list playground.—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In Noah Baumbach’s 2007 movie Margot at the Wedding, Jack Black’s character, a would-be painter, former musician, and general layabout named Malcolm, is accused by his fiancée of being competitive with everyone.—
Ryu Spaeth,
Vulture,
28 Jan. 2026
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As the story begins, Mary and Boo are neighbors, unemployed millennial layabouts who rarely leave their rooms.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Tilocow Metal Chain Loafers Similar to Middleton’s pair, these on-sale loafers feature gold chain details, memory foam cushioning, and raised insoles to alleviate foot pressure.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
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Style them with something sporty—a jersey, baseball hat, or sneakers—for a modern contrast, or dress them up with loafers for a more polished look.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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