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
• loaf
• hang (around or out)
• play
• kick back
• veg out
• hack (around)
• mess
• poke
• muck
• hang about
• drone
• fool
• footle
• monkey
• linger
• trifle
• kick around
• dally
• twiddle one's thumbs
• piddle
• hibernate
• doze
• fiddle (around)
• aestivate
• 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

The results not only call into question a potential laziness developing as a result of an overreliance on AI, but also the changing relationship between medical practitioners and a longstanding tradition of analog training. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025

Slides, hoodie w/ headphones just signals laziness. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Sure, the hands-off aspect of the iRobot is preferable for those really lazy days, but the 185w suction power of the V11 is unbeatable. —Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025

Sweats are no longer reserved for lazy Sundays or travel days. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025