Synonyms of laziness

laziness 1 of 3

noun

as in inertia

an inclination not to do work or engage in activities

although she often talks about ambitious household projects, nothing even gets started because of her chronic laziness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inertia
• indolence
• sloth
• shiftlessness
• idleness
• lethargy
• apathy
• supineness
• sluggishness
• lassitude
• languor
• loafing
• listlessness
• lounging
• lolling
• dallying
• goldbricking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• industry
• industriousness
• ambition
• drive
• initiative
• diligence
• enterprise
• hustle
• perseverance
• go
• assiduity
• vigor
• energy
• exuberance
• vitality
• robustness
• animation
• vivacity
• assiduousness
• briskness
• pep
• liveliness
• vibrancy
• vim
• sprightliness
• lustiness
• peppiness
• jazziness

lazy

2 of 3

adjective

ˈlā-zē 

1

as in idle

not easily aroused to action or work

the lazy dog just wanted to lie on the couch all day and sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• idle
• sleepy
• indolent
• shiftless
• slothful
• dull
• lethargic
• apathetic
• sluggish
• listless
• drowsy
• languorous
• inert
• torpid
• quiescent
• supine
• lazyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• industrious
• ambitious
• diligent
• zealous
• enterprising
• active
• energetic
• dynamic
• vigorous
• exuberant
• spirited
• frisky
• perky
• lively
• brisk
• vivacious
• animated
• snappy
• sprightly
• jaunty
• bouncing
• springy
• pert
• jazzy
• peppy
• zippy

2

as in careless

failing to give proper care and attention

that cookbook author can be lazy about giving cooking times and temperatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careless
• neglectful
• neglecting
• negligent
• reckless
• derelict
• slack
• lax
• remiss
• irresponsible
• forgetful
• disregardful
• oblivious
• thoughtless
• inattentive
• incautious
• apathetic
• uninterested
• heedless
• disinterested
• unthinking
• indifferent
• unmindful
• unwary
• unconcerned
• delinquent
• wild
• unguarded
• loose
• unheeding
• disregarding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careful
• conscientious
• cautious
• attentive
• meticulous
• punctilious
• nonnegligent
• painstaking
• circumspect
• responsible
• wary
• watchful
• mindful
• regarding
• vigilant
• thinking
• chary
• observant
• guarded
• alert
• interested
• thoughtful
• provident
• concerned
• regardful
• gingerly
• heedful
• foresighted
• forethoughtful
• heeding

lazy

3 of 3

verb

as in to bum

to spend time doing nothing

a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bum
• laze
• idle
• relax
• chill
• lounge
• rest
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• kill time
• loll
• stroll
• dillydally
• hang (around or out)
• loaf
• kick back
• veg out
• hack (around)
• play
• poke
• mess
• hang about
• drone
• muck
• fool
• footle
• monkey
• trifle
• kick around
• twiddle one's thumbs
• dally
• linger
• piddle
• hibernate
• doze
• fiddle (around)
• amble
• loiter
• estivate
• saunter
• mosey
• lag
• potter (around)
• putter (around)
• malinger
• swan
• truant
• goldbrick
• tarry
• furlough

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• work
• slave
• labor
• hustle
• toil
• plod
• plow
• sweat
• grind
• plug
• apply
• drudge
• buckle (down)
• hump
• grub
• peg
• moil
• exert
• put out
• travail

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lazy distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words indolent and slothful are common synonyms of lazy. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

When is it sensible to use indolent instead of lazy?

Although the words indolent and lazy have much in common, indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

When might slothful be a better fit than lazy?

While in some cases nearly identical to lazy, slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of laziness

Noun

From the outside, and often from the inside too, this looks like laziness — proof that the person just isn’t trying. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Positive qualities—promptness, diligence, cheerfulness—sped up your ascent through the ranks; negative ones—laziness, dissipation, late mornings—slowed it down. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Adjective

The Lilly Chocolate Suede, meanwhile, is a deeper hue of chocolate brown decorated with jumping lazy hearts. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

All is peaceful under the long, lazy loggia laden with vibrant fuschia bougainvillaea – the Passeggiata dei Monaci – and in the neat orchards low-hanging with fat, bobbly Amalfi lemons. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026