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
  • Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If your garden has been beset by destructive crawling insects like ants, beetles, and slugs, pesticides often seem like the clear solution.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of slug
Noun
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And for any bum stuff Ted might want confidentially looked at.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bum
Noun
  • Titan’s nitrogen-rich atmosphere is four times denser than Earth’s, allowing the car-sized Dragonfly drone’s eight rotors to easily fly between promising landing sites every Titan day (16 Earth days) to collect and study samples.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Its drone technology has impressed governments and defense manufacturers around the world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of drone
Noun
  • 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
  • Antinous shocked even the other suitors by insulting and assaulting an elderly beggar; when the beggar revealed himself as Odysseus and slew the suitors, Antinous was the first to die.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
Definition of beggar
Noun
  • Insects belong to the kingdom Animalia, along with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, octopuses, snails, jellyfish, worms, and many other groups.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Chicks, in particular, eat large quantities of high-protein insect larvae, beetles, flies, snails, spiders and ants.
    — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of snail
Noun
  • Most bestsellers, including the Cyme tote and Numéro Neuf, sit between 340 and 590 euros, with the new Shuldo hobo at 640 euros.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • Chanel walked several burgundy options down the runway, from their flap bag to a chic hobo bag.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 31 July 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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