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

The live-by-the-slug, die-by-the-slug Dodgers have hit zero home runs in the NLCS.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
These beneficial predators spend the winter under leaves, emerging in spring to feed on common garden pests such as aphids, slugs and mites.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

Bulgarians voted against a backdrop of growing economic hardship and drone attacks on Black Sea shipping, which have left several sailors dead or missing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The technology could be particularly useful in situations where drones operate frequently or perform missions with limited time for detailed manual checks.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of drone

Noun

Now, researchers studying Japanese land snails have identified a gene that helps determine whether their shells coil clockwise or counterclockwise, offering new clues into how animals develop their left and right sides.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
These under-eye saviors revitalize tired-looking eyes with eight firming peptides and snail mucin to deliver a deep boost of hydration.

— Vivien Lee, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

Zellers poured the foundation, and Morrison hired fellow ski bums to do the framing, masonry, and tiling.

— Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Carl Sandburg’s 1927 American Songbag featured a whole section of hobo songs presenting the bum as a beau ideal.

— Caroline Fraser, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of bum

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dead

deadbeat

deadbeats

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Style

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

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Synonyms of deadbeat

noun

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