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do-nothing

noun

ˈdü-ˌnə-thiŋ How to pronounce do-nothing (audio)
Definition of do-nothingnext
1
as in slug
a lazy person the new boss quickly figured out who the do-nothings were and fired them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bum
an idle worthless person he indiscriminately dismisses the state legislators as a bunch of do-nothings who live at the taxpayers' expense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 do-nothing Is Jack a do-nothing philanderer while Shyanne desperately tries to preserve their five-year romance, or is the truth more complicated than that? — Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 7 May 2026 The commission made the right call to delay implementation of Gavin’s do-nothing laws. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 Finally, upgrade your couch-rot-and-do-nothing sessions with the TCL 75-inch Class Q6 smart TV, and save 22%. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 May 2026 That makes a strong case for the do-nothing vacation, then, which, in the words of The Washington Post, aligns with wellness rather than laziness. — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for do-nothing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for do-nothing
  1. slug
  2. bum
  3. drone
  4. beggar
  5. snail
  6. hobo
  7. 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
  • 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
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
  • Dhaka’s rundown streets peppered with the homeless, vendors and child beggars.
    — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Robert Pattinson’s big outburst in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ has gone viral—here’s the ‘beggars’ meme, explained.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of beggar
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
  • Add a slouchy hobo bag and Western belt at the waist for the full effect.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The chocolate brown finish makes this hobo bag a fitting style for fall.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of hobo
Noun
  • In the fight for the right to be yourself, there are a lot of barriers to being accepted as a female deadbeat.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Alas, there’s not enough time for this deadbeat to blossom into a real dad.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of deadbeat

Browse Nearby Words

donors
do-nothing
do-nothings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-nothing. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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