lazy 1 of 2

lazy

2 of 2

verb

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lazy people
unmotivated people
sluggish people
idle people
slothful people
lazy days
sleepy days
a lazy evaluation
a sloppy evaluation
an imprecise evaluation
a poor evaluation
an insufficient evaluation
an inefficient evaluation
a lazy dog
an inactive dog
a sluggish dog
a lethargic dog
an idle dog
a sleepy dog

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lazy distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words indolent and slothful are common synonyms of lazy. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

When is it sensible to use indolent instead of lazy?

Although the words indolent and lazy have much in common, indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

When might slothful be a better fit than lazy?

While in some cases nearly identical to lazy, slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

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 lazy
Adjective
Cleveland allowed 37 points off of 16 turnovers, which suggests lazy (at best) transition defense, to say nothing of being sloppy with the ball. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 That heritage is doubtless a poisoned chalice because if the film had been a shot-for-shot remake of the original it would have been branded lazy and superfluous. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 But my soft palate being a lazy jerk is not the real culprit here. Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025 The internet can't get enough of a hilarious video showing a man trying (and failing) to walk his very lazy dog who simply had enough. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lazy
Adjective
  • To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Traders borrow to short tokens or increase leverage, long-term holders unlock liquidity without selling, businesses take loans to fund operations, and lenders earn passive yield on idle assets.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • She was cited with careless driving, the sheriff’s office said.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Following the accident, the driver, a 61-year-old woman, was cited with careless driving and cooperated with investigators at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Fans were still bummed that he was reassigned to minor-league camp.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025
  • For more on Nintendo Switch 2, check out our Switch 2 game wishlist and learn why we’ll be bummed if Switch 2 lacks these features.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Submissions already include some stunning wildlife photography, including a sleepy lion cub on a dirt road, a mountain goat standing in a field of wildflowers, and a rhinoceros strolling in India.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Turning off bright bedroom-ceiling lights and flicking on table or floor lamps can help your brain ease into sleepy mode each evening.
    Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Stress Factors There a few factors, mostly neglectful, that can cause stress on your peace lily.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The rise of institutional investment in housing has also made people more vulnerable to eviction and to neglectful or abusive landlord management practices.
    Made by History, TIME, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And if that interest is lazing by the beach, transfers to local beach clubs will be offered as well.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Bask in the sound of lapping waves from the king-size bed, or laze in a hammock overlooking the water.
    Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • When an insecure yet ambitious regime attempts to carry out large-scale social transformation, the indolent bureaucrat makes for an ideal scapegoat.
    Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The portrayal of federal workers as lazy and indolent continues to be a central aspect of the president’s plans to slash government employment.
    Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • How To Serve Different Types of Wine Serve whites and rosés chilled, while reds can be served just below room temperature.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • But there are surprises that chill you to the bone, and then there are twists that leave you guffawing.
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lazy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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