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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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

Sher did fall short of convincing Deukmejian to sign one of his bills — a whimsical measure inspired by a Camp Fire girls and boys troop to proclaim the banana slug to be the official state mollusk.

— Dan Morain, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
But in an aging lineup that has lacked slug for the majority of the second half, an absence such this is not nearly as easy to cover.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

The drone downed Tuesday in Lithuania fell near the village of Pratkunai, about 60 miles west of the capital, Vilnius, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center said Tuesday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
The fighting in Ukraine in particular has highlighted how warfare is moving more towards autonomous systems, AI and drones.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of drone

Noun

Aquarium officials received some 500 marine animals from that operation on June 19, taking in an array of fish, sharks, clams, shrimp, prawns and tiny snails.

— John Donegan LONG BEACH POST, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Don’t Forego Speed; Accelerate It With Direction A deliberate approach does not automatically mean innovation at a snail’s pace.

— Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

Within the often zany and slapstick realm of Bob’s Burgers, Tina still manages to steal the show with her singular voice, romantic fantasies, and obsessions with unicorns and boy bums.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Even then, and with Nix having a bum ankle to Mahomes’ bum knee, the Broncos have shown a lot more in the last year to inspire confidence than the Chiefs have.

— J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bum

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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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadbeat

noun

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