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
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
The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 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
Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 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
-
Expecting Hoerner to maintain that level of XBH% over the course of this season isn’t realistic, but the Cubs have seen a shift in his ability to hit for more slug dating to the final weeks of last season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
It is usually only afflicted by slugs, which can be easily managed, or crown rot due to overwatering.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Israel has been hunting him and his comrades, picking them off by airstrike and drone, in surprise attacks that often kill civilians alongside them.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That would turn the tables on the Islamic republic, which has effectively kept the narrow waterway closed with missile and drone strikes, keeping one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas bottled up in the Persian Gulf.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At first, the video feed showed little more than brown mud pockmarked by burrowing worms and snails.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The main thing to keep an eye out for with lettuce is slugs and snails.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Coach told us to be first one to the ball and to make those 50/50 plays, to do it on a bum ankle but still being able to give it my all and leave everything there for my teammates.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Its silhoutte is relaxed but still makes sure to flatter your bum.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And typically, Wegmann added, those units are occupied by productive, working adults, not layabouts or career criminals leeching off the system, as the old narrative goes.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Most often worn with a blocky boot or minimal loafers, cropped trousers are the business-casual option that can do it all.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Flat shoes particularly bring a sense of understated elegance to a granny-jeans look—from leather loafers to strappy sandals, the combination of comfort and polish redefines everyday dressing.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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