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
-
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
-
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
-
From there, Zendaya finished off the look with sock-less brown loafers and a beige silk scarf fastened around her carryall tote, once again combining major summer and fall 2025 trends.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Her director-mode look included a charming lace tank top, stylish loafers, and brown wide-leg pants that are primed for fall.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
3 Aug. 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Idler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idler. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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