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
-
Clean the bowls and refresh the beer every night until the slugs are gone.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As with brassicas, many pests target strawberries, but garlic’s aroma can keep rabbits, aphids, snails, and slugs at bay.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The latest strikes came after a woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod border region, according to local authorities.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Johnson said the organization needs to upgrade its computers for cybersecurity training lessons and wants to expand its drone security program.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among them is a purple dye drawn from a sea snail found along the coast, a resource that has become increasingly difficult to gather as the species declines.—
María Teresa Hernández,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Are snails endangered in Idaho?—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Actress Jodie Foster was just photographed toting the perfect hands-free carryall—sort of like a hybrid, crossbody-bag-meets-bum-bag.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
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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
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
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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
Noun
-
But the most recognizable style of loafer originated in Aurland, Norway, in 1930, when one Nils Gregoriussen Tveranger decided to combine the techniques of traditional Native American moccasin construction with the design of a simple shoe worn by local fisherman.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2026
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Keep scrolling for more of Amazon’s most comfortable shoes—including clogs, loafers, and slip-ons from $23.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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