Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

lazy

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of lazy

1 not easily aroused to action or work
  • The lazy dog just wanted to lie on the couch all day and sleep.
Synonyms of lazy

idle, indolent, shiftless, slothful
Words Related to lazy

apathetic, drowsy, inert, languorous, lethargic, listless, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid
Near Antonyms of lazy

ambitious, diligent, enterprising, zealous

active, animated, bouncing, brisk, dynamic, energetic, exuberant, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, pert, snappy, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vivacious, zippy
Antonyms of lazy

industrious
2 failing to give proper care and attention
  • That cookbook author can be lazy about giving cooking times and temperatures.
Synonyms of lazy

careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack
Words Related to lazy

heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild

unguarded, unwary

forgetful

disregardful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking

apathetic, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested
Near Antonyms of lazy

meticulous, painstaking, punctilious

cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded

alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful

foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible

thinking, thoughtful

concerned, interested
Antonyms of lazy

attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent

Synonym Discussion of lazy

lazy, indolent, slothful mean not easily aroused to activity. lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.
    • take-out foods for lazy cooks
indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.
    • the heat made us indolent
slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.
    • fired for being slothful about filling orders

lazy

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of lazy

to spend time doing nothing
  • a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch
Synonyms of lazy

bum, chill, dally, dawdle, dillydally, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, kick around, kick back, laze, loaf, loll, lounge, veg out
Words Related to lazy

fiddle (around), fool, mess, monkey, muck, piddle, play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

lag, linger, loiter, poke, relax, rest, tarry

amble, mosey, saunter, stroll
Phrases Synonymous with lazy

kill time, twiddle one's thumbs
Near Antonyms of lazy

drudge, grind, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg, plod, plow, plug, slave, sweat, toil, travail, work

apply, buckle (down)

exert, put out

Learn More about lazy

  1. See words that rhyme with lazy Dictionary: Definition of lazy Spanish Central: Translation of lazy Nglish: Translation of lazy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lazy for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lazy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games