laziness 1 of 3

Definition of lazinessnext

lazy

2 of 3

adjective

lazy

3 of 3

verb

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

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

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 laziness
Noun
Well, part of it’s laziness and not knowing how long the job is going to happen. E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 Yet, Gen Z’s defiance may not be about laziness. Jake Angelo, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
This is where lazy Jordan comes in. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Esteemed writers fall back on lazy analogies and text like drunk high schoolers. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laziness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laziness
Noun
  • In a field defined by bureaucratic inertia, moving from contract to flight in under a year is nothing short of a developmental miracle.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Mini seems to change direction with almost no sense of inertia, biting into corners with terrier-like tenacity.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Reuters reported Monday that traffic into and out of the Gulf was at an almost complete standstill and that hundreds of tankers were sitting idle near Hormuz.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
  • But the Heat did extend its lead over the idle eighth-place Philadelphia 76ers (34-29) to one game.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • No motive has been cited for the assault by the woman who the Times reported had several prior arrests in her home state, including a bankruptcy case in 2013, an arrest for careless driving in 2021 and another arrest in 2023 on suspicion of domestic violence and battery.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Ortiz has been arrested several times in Florida in the past, including for bankruptcy, suspicion of careless driving, and suspicion of domestic violence and battery.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Critical thinking really bums them out.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That had Wade back on his own podcast Wednesday making his feelings known, with nothing sleepy about his enthusiasm, appreciation and respect.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Offensive philosophy The Warriors chucked up 52 3-pointers (and made just 16) on Monday in Utah, a puzzlingly high number considering the Jazz’s interior defense generally provides as much resistance as a sleepy puppy.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Instead of setting up a spot on the sand, beachgoers typically pitch their chairs in the shallow clear blue water and laze the day away.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • But its proximity to the Arenal Volcano also means plenty of mineral-rich hot springs to laze around in.
    Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Every 4:3 shot is framed to maximize the social verticality of the club, and every sequence is edited to evoke the indolent energy of a hot car on a hot summer’s day.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
  • There are two types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can be aggressive or indolent, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Laziness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laziness. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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