IDLER Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

idler

noun

Definition of idler

as in slug

a lazy person the hot weather turned us into a bunch of idlers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 idler 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

Sher did fall short of convincing Deukmejian to sign one of his bills — a whimsical measure inspired by a Camp Fire girls and boys troop to proclaim the banana slug to be the official state mollusk.

— Dan Morain, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
But in an aging lineup that has lacked slug for the majority of the second half, an absence such this is not nearly as easy to cover.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

The drone downed Tuesday in Lithuania fell near the village of Pratkunai, about 60 miles west of the capital, Vilnius, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center said Tuesday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
The fighting in Ukraine in particular has highlighted how warfare is moving more towards autonomous systems, AI and drones.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of drone

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

Definition of sluggard

Noun

Aquarium officials received some 500 marine animals from that operation on June 19, taking in an array of fish, sharks, clams, shrimp, prawns and tiny snails.

— John Donegan LONG BEACH POST, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Don’t Forego Speed; Accelerate It With Direction A deliberate approach does not automatically mean innovation at a snail’s pace.

— Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

Within the often zany and slapstick realm of Bob’s Burgers, Tina still manages to steal the show with her singular voice, romantic fantasies, and obsessions with unicorns and boy bums.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Even then, and with Nix having a bum ankle to Mahomes’ bum knee, the Broncos have shown a lot more in the last year to inspire confidence than the Chiefs have.

— J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bum

Browse Nearby Words

idleness

idler

idlers

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Style

“Idler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idler. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of idler

noun

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