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

But laziness, alcoholism and a lack of talent led Marx to conclude that for people like himself, the only way to achieve success was to take (steal) wealth from those more talented and ambitious. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

The laziness of the old-fashioned suitcase switcheroo device is part of the movie’s charm. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Adjective

Imagine a lightweight serum packed with PDRN and hyaluronic acid in spray form, which is perfect for lazy gals like me. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

The resort has its own waterpark with a freeform swimming pool, baby pool, two-story slide, and lazy river. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026