GOOD-FOR-NOTHING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

good-for-nothing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgu̇d-fər-ˌnə-thiŋ

Definition of good-for-nothing

as in lazy

having no ambition, success, or value to society refused to leave anything in his will to his good-for-nothing grandchildren

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

good-for-nothing

2 of 2

noun

as in bum

an idle worthless person teacher after teacher had predicted that he would never be more than a good-for-nothing

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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 good-for-nothing

Adjective

With Jun-hyeon trapped in a coma inside of Yong-ho’s older body, Yong-ho goes about seeking revenge on his good-for-nothing children, and ensuring the future of the Choiseong Group. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026 The black comedy crime film is written by Niki Sheldrake and tells the story of Colin and Stanley, two good-for-nothing brothers who are faced with the repayment of their dead father’s debt to a notorious loan shark named Maggie. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2024 Yet later this year up to 40 healthy Australian volunteers may begin receiving infusions of the supposedly good-for-nothing molecule. — Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 June 2023 In the film, directed by Taika Waititi, Hela comes back to Asgard seeking revenge and looking to kick everybody's ass, starting with her good-for-nothing brothers Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor (Hemsworth). — Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-for-nothing

Adjective

The pieces are made for lazy days by the pool and stays at the chicest hotels in the world.

— Harriet Elton, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
Okay, the Fourth of July is over, and now we’re settled into the lazy, hazy days of summer.

— Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

Definition of lazy

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

Adjective

What otherwise might have been worthless bits of trash commanded the highest bids due to where the two items were 57 years ago—lifting off aboard NASA’s Apollo 11 spacecraft on humanity’s first mission to land astronauts on the Moon.

— Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
When software moves money on its own, a procedures document is worthless.

— Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

The question now is how the Giants can make the most of a bad, no-good situation.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
And with nary a golfer from the upstart tour within eight strokes of Round 2 leader Wyndham Clark at 7 under par, LIV’s no-good, very bad 2026 continued Friday.

— Matt Schubert, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Definition of no-good

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

Adjective

Steps from City Hall, a two-acre dirt lot once promised as a flagship downtown park instead sits fenced and idle.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
On the higher end, a saver would collect a little more than $2,000 in interest for essentially doing nothing but waiting out the term — money that would otherwise sit idle in a low- or no-interest account.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of idle

Browse Nearby Words

good-fellowship

good-for-nothing

good-for-nothings

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“Good-for-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-for-nothing. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of good-for-nothing

adjective

noun

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