as in slug
a lazy person
the hot weather turned us into a bunch of idlers
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Example Sentences
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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
-
Lack of slug may end up haunting them in the postseason.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Place a piece of 6 x 6-inch piece of cardboard or thin plywood on the garden surface to attract slugs, then check under it every morning.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During one such strike last week, around two dozen Russian drones entered Poland -- by far the largest-ever of Russian drones into NATO airspace.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Within the last week, Russian drones were shot down in NATO airspace over Poland and Romania.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For men, chunky loafers, caps, patterned scarves, and structured satchels will polish off any look.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
-
For shoes that complete any work outfit, opt for classic loafers, a shoe that Dakota Johnson, Jane Fonda, and other celebs have stepped out in recently.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 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
-
The bayous have become a popular breeding ground for intimidating apple snails from South America, which can reach 6 inches in width.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The snail is two years old and the millipede is only a few months old.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When law enforcement showed up, Davis asked to have his hands cuffed in front of him, so as not to aggravate his bum shoulder.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
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Celebratory backslaps, encouraging bum-pats and the fall of opposition wickets celebrated en masse are often an indication of a team’s togetherness.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dreux has entrusted Alyssa with delivering Uche’s money before the first of the month—but instead, Alyssa has asked her layabout, freeloading boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) to put the money in Uche’s hands.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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Jeremiah is slutting it up with Steven’s colleagues and Taylor’s friends and generally embracing life as a once-and-future deadbeat.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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In a 10-minute-long Instagram video, the real estate developer rants about how the show portrayed him in a negative light, first accusing him of having financial problems, then painting him as a deadbeat stepdad.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idler. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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