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
  • Female mice dosed with QACs lost interest in food, became lethargic and short of breath, and began to lose muscle control during late pregnancy.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lethargic
Noun
  • This 110-inch-wide sofa gives you plenty of room for family movie nights, weekend lounging, and nights with friends.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Airstream walls are on the thinner side, and because the property encourages outdoor lounging, evenings can be lively—something light sleepers may want to note.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • Rasmussen in 1978 was idling in traffic on Connecticut’s Interstate 84 after acquiring a satellite transponder from RCA, and decided to launch a new network devoted only to sports on a single acre near the small town of Bristol.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • A couple blocks away there are at least nine police cars, parked, idling.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 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
  • Rather, the department says testing is recommended because inactive, or latent, TB often causes no symptoms.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Bazelak got the start when backup Jake Browning was inactive after suffering a back strain in practice against the Jets on Wednesday.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of inactive
Verb
  • Consider an older adult recovering from a hospital stay who spends the afternoon arranging transportation to follow-up appointments instead of resting.
    — Aimée K. Dailey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Lindsay Clancy's Massachusetts murder trial resumed Monday in Plymouth Superior Court, with the prosecution resting its case.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting

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loafers
loafing
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Cite this Entry

“Loafing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loafing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loafing

Nglish: Translation of loafing for Spanish Speakers

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