good-for-nothing 1 of 2

as in lazy
having no ambition, success, or value to society refused to leave anything in his will to his good-for-nothing grandchildren

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

good-for-nothing

2 of 2

noun

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 good-for-nothing
Adjective
The black comedy crime film is written by Niki Sheldrake and tells the story of Colin and Stanley, two good-for-nothing brothers who are faced with the repayment of their dead father’s debt to a notorious loan shark named Maggie. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2024 Yet later this year up to 40 healthy Australian volunteers may begin receiving infusions of the supposedly good-for-nothing molecule. Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 June 2023 In the film, directed by Taika Waititi, Hela comes back to Asgard seeking revenge and looking to kick everybody's ass, starting with her good-for-nothing brothers Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor (Hemsworth). Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-for-nothing
Adjective
  • For those who prefer a little more structure to their days, the resort has all kinds of other tricks up its sleeve, including an expansive waterpark featuring a lazy river, several waterslides, and adults-only pools surrounded by cabanas and day beds.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Attractions include a one-acre wave pool, lazy river, and Summit Plummet, one of the tallest and fastest free-fall body slides in the world.
    Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This was all done with a bum wrist, which posed as an inconvenience to him at times.
    Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2024
  • Tommy, left to prosecute the case against Rusty, has inherited a bum gig.
    Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 26 July 2024
Adjective
  • What this means isn’t that this music is cheap or worthless.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
  • So restricted in scope as to be nearly worthless and thus is rarely utilized.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The beggars, widows, and families with sick relatives who once made a pilgrimage to the gates of the parliament building in the Green Zone to beg lawmakers for help are now barred from entry.
    Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012
  • All the beggars at the intersection of Lee Road and the off-ramp of I-4 are completely out of hand.
    Ticked Off, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2024
Adjective
  • Watch my video discussion of these shows below: What were your least-favorite, no-good, terrible TV shows of 2024?
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Moving right along, Rufus (Michael Maggi), the no-good gambler who lost his wife, Salena’s, shares in the Blue faction, gets put to work by Berenice, Titus’s Judean queen-mistress-whatever.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024
Adjective
  • These men would have long periods of time being idle, and the contrast between boredom and peril is pretty extreme.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
  • At 45-32, the Clippers are tied with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves and No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies, who were both idle.
    Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Extra hooks allow the bag to transform into a trapezoidal hobo shape.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024
  • There’s a lot to love about Coach’s viral shoulder bag: the modern hobo style, the soft leather, the distinct shape.
    Lindy Segal, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Good-for-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-for-nothing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on good-for-nothing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!