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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The tube will then act as a protective barrier over seeds, preventing common garden pests like snails and slugs from reaching them.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
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The reflective foil discourages unwanted insects and pests like slugs from approaching and harming the plants, but actually helps to attract butterflies.—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Cutting convoy risk Army planners see cargo drones as a way to reduce dependence on traditional resupply convoys.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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But what changed was the missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure in September, 2019, which were assumed to be perpetrated by, but were never formally attributed to, Iran.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Water’s central role in bird conservation The South Florida wetland dynamic is central to the snail kite’s survival.—
Sofia Baltodano,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The snail slime doesn’t seem to actively turn Cathy on, but points for originality here.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As older leaders retire, the days of bums on seats five days a week are likely to fade with them.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
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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Others reached a different conclusion: the cops were just sweeping up anybody who looked like tambay, layabouts.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This season, the Portuguese organization helped pair Campillo with footwear manufacturer Mariano Shoes for their latest collaboration together, which includes a classic boot in four colors, and leather loafers with artisanal leather soles.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Designers such as Calvin Klein, Celine, and Bottega Veneta presented pairs on the 2026 runway, and look, a classic loafer (with a back) will never go out of style.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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