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
Meanwhile, Devon is trying to find her deadbeat sometimes lover and friend, Ray, but can’t track him down.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
More troubling was being lumped in with Trump’s growing list of deadbeats, criminals and other miscreants.
—Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
What if Rick’s dad was just a deadbeat who didn’t feel like leaving the boat party?
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
More troubling was being lumped in with Trump’s growing list of deadbeats, criminals and other miscreants.
—Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
What if Rick’s dad was just a deadbeat who didn’t feel like leaving the boat party?
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat
Noun
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Lack of slug may end up haunting them in the postseason.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
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Place a piece of 6 x 6-inch piece of cardboard or thin plywood on the garden surface to attract slugs, then check under it every morning.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At least one Ukrainian drone has also crashed in Estonia, which Tallinn said was sent off course by Russian electronic warfare measures.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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The incident comes days after Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace earlier this week – prompting NATO allies to pledge to beef up defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The bayous have become a popular breeding ground for intimidating apple snails from South America, which can reach 6 inches in width.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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The snail is two years old and the millipede is only a few months old.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Celebratory backslaps, encouraging bum-pats and the fall of opposition wickets celebrated en masse are often an indication of a team’s togetherness.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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With both travel and programming budgets under pressure, all markets have to make a strong case to get buyer and seller bums on seats (or, more accurately, into screening booths and meeting rooms).—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Dreux has entrusted Alyssa with delivering Uche’s money before the first of the month—but instead, Alyssa has asked her layabout, freeloading boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) to put the money in Uche’s hands.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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Moore’s then-husband Bruce Willis plays against-type as the abusive layabout husband of hairdresser Joyce (Glenne Headly).—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Wear it to the office with wide-leg trousers and platform loafers.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Office alum, 45, sported a dark grey glen plaid suit, with a coordinating vest, a black tie and black patent leather loafers.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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