Definition of slothfulnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slothful distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words indolent and lazy are common synonyms of slothful. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

When is indolent a more appropriate choice than slothful?

The synonyms indolent and slothful are sometimes interchangeable, but indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

Where would lazy be a reasonable alternative to slothful?

The meanings of lazy and slothful largely overlap; however, lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

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 slothful That they would be regarded as slothful morons who aren't worth the price of a ticket of admission. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2026 Soviet Russia, too, experienced periodic panics about slothful bureaucrats impeding the dictatorship of the proletariat. Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025 At our test track, the buzzy little SUV needed a slothful 9.2 seconds to hit 60 mph. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 23 Dec. 2022 Procrastination can be slothful or prudent, a vice or a virtue, depending on your habits and the tasks at hand. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2021 Selfish, feckless, self-deluded, weak-willed yet childishly willful, manipulative, slothful, and mendacious: How can such a despicable character also be such a likable one? Sigrid Nunez, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021 After releasing 12 albums in 13 months, Twin Cities guitarist Cory Wong will end his momentarily slothful ways and drop just his second album this year. Jon Bream, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021 The pilfered offspring return with the raiders to their nests, then hatch and grow up to become live-in slaves, tasked with the feeding and care of their slothful masters and their masters’ brood. Brendan Borrell, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slothful
Adjective
  • Make Waves Let your cares float away with lazy beach days, shimmering pools, and the family-favorite Captiva Landing, which takes fun to new heights with five acres of activity.
    South Seas, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
  • The water park is open on weekends in May and features exciting water rides, a relaxing lazy river, and wave pool.
    Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The plane to be used to repatriate Dutch and other nationals stands idle at the Tenerife Sur-Reina Sofia Airport awaiting evacuees from the Hondius on Sunday.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 10 May 2026
  • The deflating defeat, narrated by an intermittent cascade of boos, rendered their record the worst in baseball at 7-16 and suddenly a half-game lousier than the idle New York Mets.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Slothful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slothful. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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