as in lounging
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in lolling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loafing
Noun
-
Rooms are generous in size and designed for lingering and lounging.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Sliding glass doors spill out to a loggia ideal for alfresco lounging and dining.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not included is the price of fuel while idling in line, along with the environmental impact of vehicle pollution.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
So the captain is not going to keep the ship idling while your late-arriving flight is taxiing to the terminal.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even before the Iran war, stockpiles had been drained by lethargic manufacturing and munitions donations to Ukraine and Israel.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The rescue group reported he was dehydrated and lethargic.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
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
-
And poor, engine‑damaging quality or not, the ersatz aviation fuel had to work only once to get a kamikaze plane up and away to hit one of the enemy warships now lazing about in the offing around the Home Islands, often close enough to be spotted from shore with the naked eye.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his side for Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final with Championship side Southampton on Saturday evening, bringing fresh faces into the starting XI and resting some of his key players for the final stretch of the league season.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The 3-by-5 strength training protocol involves choosing 3–5 exercises, doing 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, and resting for 3–5 minutes in between.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But her studio’s page — with more than 30,000 followers — is now inactive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
With Ayo Dosunmu joining Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo on the inactive list, the Timberwolves were missing a big chunk of their ability to create shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spend the next few hours strolling around the Davidson College campus, shopping for a new read at Main Street Books or a charming memento at Honeysuckle Home, and having a leisurely lunch at The Pickled Peach.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
They were seen hugging at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico in October 2023, strolling ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas in November 2024 and holding hands at the Grand Prix of Miami in 2025.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loafing. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
