loafing 1 of 3

adjective

as in lounging

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loafing

2 of 3

noun

as in lolling

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loafing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of loaf
as in idling
to spend time doing nothing the kind of sultry August afternoon that makes you just want to loaf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 loafing
Noun
The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
Kids who used to run to the field excited to play, suddenly started loafing to the field wearing their crocs with their heads buried in their phones. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed. — Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025 She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned. — Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Oct. 2025 Martin removed his right fielder for loafing on a ball hit to the outfield. — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loafing
  1. lethargic
  2. lounging
  3. idling
  4. loitering
  5. lolling
  6. lazing
  7. inactive
  8. resting
Adjective
  • So keep an eye our for habit changes and call a veterinarian if a cat stops eating, becomes lethargic, vomits, appears weak or develops yellowing around the eyes, gums or skin.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • No team wants to peak on the first Saturday, but our league loves a narrative and what happens right now sets a tone; Manchester United’s is discordant, flat, lethargic.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of lethargic
Noun
  • If the Kova is all about cloud-like lounging, the Barton gives you a more structured take on comfort.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Sidecar lounges are a new design, targeting solo and small groups of travelers who are looking for a quicker pit stop as opposed to long-term lounging.
    — Jason Stauffer,Brett Holzhauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • Residents described idling in traffic as roads became jammed with evacuees.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The gunshot woke up a neighbor, who the Game Commission said saw the truck idling near where the carcass was found the next morning.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of idling
Adjective
  • Some victim advocates say human trafficking along Figueroa has escalated since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollback of anti-loitering laws.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of loitering
Noun
  • The pup, named Eba, appeared immune to being rushed and trotted behind at the farthest extent of her leash, tongue lolling, black eyes squinting in the afternoon sun.
    — Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
  • After a few days of snorkeling and beach-lolling, the view from our helicopter transfer to the Miavana resort on the island of Nosy Ankao just off Madagascar’s northeast, painted an alarmingly different picture.
    — Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of lolling
Verb
  • The sense of just how much there is to do in this part of the world—the length of the scale between lazing and becoming ultra-active—is palpable.
    — Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
  • Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
Definition of lazing
Adjective
  • Both Russia and China have tested missiles that destroy satellites; a Russian test in 2021 shattered an inactive satellite into more than a thousand pieces.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • There have been periodic stretches when the Jayhawks were inactive.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of inactive
Verb
  • Who then might be a match for title holders who benefit from resting players in 18-club Ligue 1 and having a fresh team for the back-end of the Champions League each season?
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The aircraft appeared to be resting on its belly and was largely intact despite the fire.
    — Staff And Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of resting

Browse Nearby Words

loafers
loafing
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Cite this Entry

“Loafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loafing. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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