: marked by inactivity or failure to make positive progress
Synonyms
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
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
Stronger responses to hacking, such as counterattacks and aggressive sanctions, do carry significant risks, but Washington can no longer rely on a do-nothing or do-little approach.
—Susan Hennessey, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017
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Noun
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
Stronger responses to hacking, such as counterattacks and aggressive sanctions, do carry significant risks, but Washington can no longer rely on a do-nothing or do-little approach.
—Susan Hennessey, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near do-nothing
Cite this Entry
“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-nothing. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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