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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of do-nothing
Former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty was sentenced today to one year in prison for his role in an elaborate scheme to funnel money to do-nothing subcontractors with ties to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for Madigan’s influence on legislation in Springfield.
—
Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
About a dozen have visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, who in April caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire aimed at 'do-nothing' Democrats.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
In the political messaging battle, though, whether the assessment of a do-nothing Congress and Speaker is true or not is beside the point.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 May 2025
Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
About a dozen have visited or have plans to make stops in the early primary states, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 60, who in April caught attention for delivering a searing speech in New Hampshire aimed at 'do-nothing' Democrats.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
In the political messaging battle, though, whether the assessment of a do-nothing Congress and Speaker is true or not is beside the point.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for do-nothing
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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When law enforcement showed up, Davis asked to have his hands cuffed in front of him, so as not to aggravate his bum shoulder.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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During one such strike last week, around two dozen Russian drones entered Poland -- by far the largest-ever of Russian drones into NATO airspace.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Within the last week, Russian drones were shot down in NATO airspace over Poland and Romania.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
16 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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Jeremiah is slutting it up with Steven’s colleagues and Taylor’s friends and generally embracing life as a once-and-future deadbeat.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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In a 10-minute-long Instagram video, the real estate developer rants about how the show portrayed him in a negative light, first accusing him of having financial problems, then painting him as a deadbeat stepdad.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Got a lot of mountains to climb, had to leave some beggars behind.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, the beauty of New Orleans proper was found in its colorful variety of humans—the loons and cons, the beggars and peddlers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From oversized, slouchy hobos to structured East-West silhouettes and laptop-ready work totes, this season’s best suede bags deliver a luxurious polish that will elevate every fall wardrobe.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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On May 3, she was seen toting around the brand's slouchy black hobo bag with gunmetal hardware before switching to one of their smaller shoulder bags for a concert later that night.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-nothing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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