do-nothing

1 of 2

noun

do-noth·​ing ˈdü-ˌnə-thiŋ 

: a shiftless or lazy person

do-nothing

2 of 2

adjective

: marked by inactivity or failure to make positive progress

do-nothingism

ˈdü-ˌnə-thiŋ-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• couch potato
• deadbeat
• drone
• idler
• layabout
• lazybones
• loafer
• lotus-eater
• slouch
• slug
• slugabed
• sluggard

Examples of do-nothing in a Sentence

Noun

the new boss quickly figured out who the do-nothings were and fired them

he indiscriminately dismisses the state legislators as a bunch of do-nothings who live at the taxpayers' expense

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Many of these new candidates will be ordinary citizens who are fed up with the feckless and do-nothing politics of the Democratic establishment. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025

Christy Merrick, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Siri needs a facelift Apple has apparently been riding the do-nothing train for 14 years. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025

Then in the span of two touchdown drives, sandwiched around a do-nothing offensive possession, four defensive penalties crippled Denver’s defense. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024

The Senate brought up a border bill over the last week, but the opposition killed it. Democrats and Republicans are pointing fingers at each other and accusing each other of being do-nothings. —David Plazas, The Tennessean, 28 May 2024

This count alleges a multipronged bribery conspiracy to help ComEd pass important legislation in exchange for hiring at least five Madigan associates as do-nothing consultants, paying a total of $1.3 million over nearly eight years of the conspiracy. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

But like a do-nothing getaway undone by a lack of basic planning, the series puts too much trust in its pretty surroundings and equally handsome cast to carry the trip. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2024

However, if Harris appoints a qualified moderate such as Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, opposition Republicans will pay a political price by validating the narrative of a do-nothing Republican Congress intent only on obstruction. —Allan J. Lichtman, New York Daily News, 19 July 2024

The outside view largely is of a do-nothing summer by the Miami Heat, with 11 players returning from the roster that recorded just one playoff win last season. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for do-nothing

• nothing