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

Firefly larvae, on the other hand, are usually carnivorous and may feed on soft-bodied insects, slugs, snails, and worms.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026
Disappearing leaves and leaves with large holes indicate a slug or snail problem in the garden.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

Kyiv has sometimes launched hundreds of drones in a single night, targeting oil refineries, naval vessels and increasingly the Moscow region.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
According to the company, the platform uses open systems architecture, autonomous software, strong command and control, and scalable mission management to support large groups of drones.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026

Definition of drone

Noun

Ragusa is a spiral sea snail, closer to a small murex than a clam, usually simmered in tomato with garlic and chili like most small Adriatic mollusks.

— Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Disappearing leaves and leaves with large holes indicate a slug or snail problem in the garden.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

The Coliseum stayed in business for 500 years, bums in seats twice a week, watching people hack each other to death.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Sometimes there is a fine line between being a hero or a bum, but Dave has been able to negotiate that line, because players trust him, and the players know that Dave cares about them and their families.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of bum

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

Browse Nearby Words

dead

deadbeat

deadbeats

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“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadbeat

noun

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