as in slug
a lazy person
the hot weather turned us into a bunch of idlers
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Recent Examples of idler
His discoveries promise to upset the gaming tables of every school of thought that wagers on new and untested art for idlers’ rewards: the love of novelty, the will to make or unmake reputations, the wish to be hip or au courant.
—
Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Their name exudes the essence of an idler and slacker, but women’s loafers themselves are quite the opposite.
—Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Jan. 2023
This represents the loss of an idea of what the capital should represent, the removal of a place that was an idler’s haven.
—Anandi Mishra, The Atlantic, 30 July 2022
If the flaneur is an active idler, the badaud is a stationary, passive one, ready to stare open-mouthed at any phenomenon that offers novelty or puzzlement.
—Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022
That these dialogues are a joint project of the WEF and the entitled idler next in line to the British throne is another reminder that democracy is no part of the Davos game.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 29 Oct. 2020
Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Their name exudes the essence of an idler and slacker, but women’s loafers themselves are quite the opposite.
—Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Jan. 2023
This represents the loss of an idea of what the capital should represent, the removal of a place that was an idler’s haven.
—Anandi Mishra, The Atlantic, 30 July 2022
If the flaneur is an active idler, the badaud is a stationary, passive one, ready to stare open-mouthed at any phenomenon that offers novelty or puzzlement.
—Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022
That these dialogues are a joint project of the WEF and the entitled idler next in line to the British throne is another reminder that democracy is no part of the Davos game.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 29 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idler
Noun
-
In some cases, coffee grounds might even deter slugs from visiting your plants when used as a soil top layer.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
-
Singles have replaced slug as the standard operating procedure for a lineup that’s struck just 19 home runs.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The same day, Russian drones targeted the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Sumy and Odesa.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
The drones forced Russian authorities to temporarily shut down all four Moscow airports on Wednesday.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The Track Pant Lean into the tomboy ease of a slouchy pair of track pants by adding an oversized button up and Gucci loafers.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
1 May 2025
-
There is even a preppy Ivy League dandy: loafers, cardigans, polos, or a sweater dangling over the shoulders.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Scar then proceeds to desolate the kingdom, with the help of hyenas, while Simba, in exile, grows up to become a pleasure-hunting, grub-eating sluggard.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
19 July 2019
-
Clearly, supervision at your job is lax, and your sluggard classmate is taking advantage of that.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2017
Noun
-
While seemingly trying to get over the initial shock of devouring snails, Megan first had to deal with how hot the sizzling dish was.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Tyrian purple, as the dye is known, is harvested from sea snails in the murex family.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Apr. 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
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Moore’s then-husband Bruce Willis plays against-type as the abusive layabout husband of hairdresser Joyce (Glenne Headly).—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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In Yancheng, in eastern China, the police have checked karaoke bars, rental housing and hotels for potential layabouts.—
Vivian Wang,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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What if Rick’s dad was just a deadbeat who didn’t feel like leaving the boat party?—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idler. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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