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
  • Disappearing leaves and leaves with large holes indicate a slug or snail problem in the garden.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026
  • My brain would like to know whether this journaling exercise comes with a CMS slug and a publish date.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 13 July 2026
Definition of slug
Noun
  • The Coliseum stayed in business for 500 years, bums in seats twice a week, watching people hack each other to death.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Sometimes there is a fine line between being a hero or a bum, but Dave has been able to negotiate that line, because players trust him, and the players know that Dave cares about them and their families.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of bum
Noun
  • Kyiv has sometimes launched hundreds of drones in a single night, targeting oil refineries, naval vessels and increasingly the Moscow region.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • According to the company, the platform uses open systems architecture, autonomous software, strong command and control, and scalable mission management to support large groups of drones.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
Definition of drone
Noun
  • As Telemachus reminds us, the Greeks honor Zeus’ law because even a humble beggar could be a god in disguise.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • Gobert was chief among the beggars imploring his teammates for a shred of consistency on that end of the floor.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of beggar
Noun
  • The effect has been especially damaging on corals, oysters, and free-swimming snails and slugs.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 July 2026
  • You are steered through an astonishing limestone canyon, crossing turquoise water where only tiny snails and blind shrimp are capable of living.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
Definition of snail
Noun
  • The slouchy silhouette is ideal for anyone who appreciates the hobo bag look.
    — Mia McManus, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
  • Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Definition of hobo
Noun
  • To track down her mother, Lila teams up with her deadbeat father for a journey that includes grudge-settling, Russian criminals, and corrupt politicians.
    — Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
  • Based on a script by Justin Varava that made the 2024 Black List, Turpentine follows a deadbeat son who hires friends to rob his own parents to pay off a bookie, with disastrous results.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Definition of deadbeat

Browse Nearby Words

donors
do-nothing
do-nothings
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Cite this Entry

“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-nothing. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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