DEADBEAT Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

deadbeat

noun

ˈded-ˌbēt

Definition of deadbeat

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

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 deadbeat Andres was born in Cuba to a deadbeat alcoholic who beat him, according to his attorneys. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025 As half owner of that house, you are entitled to live in it without being berated by a deadbeat. — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2025 As half-owner of that house, you are entitled to live in it without being berated by a deadbeat. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2025 The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadbeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat

Noun

Unfortunately, night watering creates the perfect conditions for slugs and pathogens to thrive.

— Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 23 July 2026
Baking soda can help prevent powdery mildew, kill weeds, repel slugs, and clean produce, but must be used sparingly.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

At the 2024 Olympic Games, Canada used a drone to spy on New Zealand, their opponents in the women’s football group stages.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Then in April, one of the company’s ships was passing Puerto Rico between two other jobs while carrying an advanced underwater drone with the right sensors to find the plane.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of drone

Noun

Several studies have found that snail mucus secretions can kill bacteria and prevent skin infections from worsening, especially when applied to wounds.

— Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 July 2026
But SpongeBob is just as unambiguously heroic as Damon’s Odysseus is (even if our favorite burger-flipping tamer of snails requires a gift from a certain daughter of a goddess to find his courage).

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 July 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

Marlon's Shorty Meeks is in his 25th year of high school, but has made millions as a layabout live-streamer.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
When layabout postman Jesper gets assigned to the frozen town of Smeerensburg with an ultimatum to process 6,000 letters, a reclusive toymaker might be his only hope.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026

Definition of layabout

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dead

deadbeat

deadbeats

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“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadbeat

noun

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