1
as in slug
a lazy person
the new boss quickly figured out who the do-nothings were and fired them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
The bulk of the ComEd allegations centered on a cadre of Madigan allies who were paid a total of $1.3 million from 2011 through 2019 through allegedly do-nothing consulting contracts.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
At the center of the scheme was a plan to funnel a total of $1.3 million in do-nothing contracts to Madigan’s 13th Ward cronies.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
But the momentum picked up speed in July 2020 when the U.S. attorney’s office reached a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, which acknowledged trying to influence Madigan by showering his pals and associates with do-nothing contracts, legal work and a seat on the ComEd board of directors.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and another related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 7 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
The bulk of the ComEd allegations centered on a cadre of Madigan allies who were paid a total of $1.3 million from 2011 through 2019 through allegedly do-nothing consulting contracts.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
At the center of the scheme was a plan to funnel a total of $1.3 million in do-nothing contracts to Madigan’s 13th Ward cronies.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
But the momentum picked up speed in July 2020 when the U.S. attorney’s office reached a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, which acknowledged trying to influence Madigan by showering his pals and associates with do-nothing contracts, legal work and a seat on the ComEd board of directors.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and another related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 7 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
-
And if there isn’t a card to morph Janeway and Chakotay into slugs I’d be disappointed.—
Curtis Silver,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Questions about Tatis’ lack of slug are legitimate.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This was all done with a bum wrist, which posed as an inconvenience to him at times.—
Hannah Kirby,
Journal Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2024
-
Tommy, left to prosecute the case against Rusty, has inherited a bum gig.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
26 July 2024
Noun
-
Both sides are increasingly using helicopters to shoot down slow-moving long-range drones behind their lines.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
What hope lies in this eternal weaving when the center has vanished, when the sacred axis gives way to smoke and blood and the ever-falling sound of a drone?—
Alaa Alqaisi
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Meet the apple snail and their amazing eyes In parts of the United States, apple snails are considered an invasive species.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
6 Aug. 2025
-
This particularly hardy sea snail is notable for its ability to withstand the frigid temps and crushingly high pressure of the deep ocean.—
Rosie McCall,
Discover Magazine,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Madsen starred in the two-parter's second entry as Budd, now a deadbeat bouncer living in a trailer.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
The Housing Court system allows deadbeat tenants to live rent-free for months, sometimes years, while waiting to resolve rent disputes.—
Alva Badillo,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
The beggars, widows, and families with sick relatives who once made a pilgrimage to the gates of the parliament building in the Green Zone to beg lawmakers for help are now barred from entry.—
Ned Parker,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Feb. 2012
-
All the beggars at the intersection of Lee Road and the off-ramp of I-4 are completely out of hand.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 July 2024
Noun
-
Extra hooks allow the bag to transform into a trapezoidal hobo shape.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
19 Sep. 2024
-
There’s a lot to love about Coach’s viral shoulder bag: the modern hobo style, the soft leather, the distinct shape.—
Lindy Segal,
Glamour,
13 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-nothing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share