loafing 1 of 3

adjective

as in lounging

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loafing

2 of 3

noun

as in lolling

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Dissimilar Words

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
  • The expansion to California’s film and TV tax credit program hasn’t notably curbed lethargic production levels in Los Angeles, at least not yet.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
  • If your dog is stumbling, lethargic, vomiting, collapses or is unresponsive, contact a vet immediately while working to cool down your dog.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of lethargic
Noun
  • Among the amenities are a spacious lounging or working area, air conditioning, restrooms and easy parking.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Kayaking, paddleboarding, and other aquatic sports are also available, though sun-seekers will be perfectly content lounging, reading, and napping with the property’s flat-as-glass horizon as the background.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • A couple blocks away there are at least nine police cars, parked, idling.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Effects of laws against idling In short, anti-idling laws target potentially severe pollution health risks from what is generally a wasteful practice of convenience.
    — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 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
  • When the district built the dam during the Truman administration, scientists thought the nearby Calaveras Fault was inactive.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Before he was from20, Kim Raehwan was known simply as Raehwan and the main vocalist of BIGSTAR, a boy band under hitmaker Brave Brothers’ Brave Entertainment agency that slowly fizzled out after years inactive.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of inactive
Verb
  • Slide open and step outside to sit at the deck’s fire table immersed in towering evergreen trees while resting your eyes beyond to the Sierra Nevada.
    — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Matthew Stafford was resting as part of his maintenance plan, and Simpson split reps evenly with Stetson Bennett, with Bennett taking the first crack.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting

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Cite this Entry

“Loafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loafing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loafing

Nglish: Translation of loafing for Spanish Speakers

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