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
• chill
• lounge
• relax
• rest
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• stroll
• kill time
• loll
• dillydally
• hang (around or out)
• loaf
• play
• kick back
• veg out
• hack (around)
• mess
• poke
• muck
• hang about
• drone
• fool
• footle
• monkey
• linger
• trifle
• kick around
• twiddle one's thumbs
• dally
• 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

There’s also sharp critique of creative choices, tone shifts, and perceived laziness in storytelling. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026

Absent the lush melancholy of classic synth-pop, what Hervé and Amato had in common with their forbears was a spirit of innovation rooted in profound laziness. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026

Adjective

Why This Happens To The Best Business Owners The trap does not catch the lazy or the careless. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

This cannot happen if lazy tropes around risk and governance continue to overshadow the ingenuity already present on the continent. — Jeremy Ebobisse, Time, 26 June 2026