Illustration of sloth
- sloth 2
plural sloths
ˈslȯths 
ˈslȯṯẖz,
ˈsläths,
ˈsläṯẖz,
also ˈslōths,
ˈslōṯẖz
1
a
: disinclination to action or labor : indolence
b
: spiritual apathy and inactivity
the deadly sin of sloth
2
: any of various slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals (genera Bradypus and Choloepus) that inhabit tropical forests of South and Central America, hang from the branches back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits compare three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth
Examples of sloth in a Sentence
the sins of gluttony and sloth
a youth inclined more toward sloth than athletics
Recent Examples on the Web
The zoologist who first named the species did think the bears were related to tree sloths because of their long, thick claws and unusual teeth but later research found that the two animals had no connection.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025
There's a folder on his computer just for photos of sad sloths.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
Gamboa is a vibrant green jungle town less than an hour’s drive from Panama City into the middle of the canal’s route teeming with capybaras, sloths, monkeys and crocodiles and sitting directly on the lake.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025
Embarking on its maiden voyage in June 2025 from the hub of Iquitos, Pure Amazon, a sleek 22-guest riverboat from luxury travel operator Abercrombie & Kent, promises views of caimans, sloths, and massive anacondas through panoramic wall-to-wall windows and immersive excursions.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sloth
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Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025
There's a folder on his computer just for photos of sad sloths.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
Gamboa is a vibrant green jungle town less than an hour’s drive from Panama City into the middle of the canal’s route teeming with capybaras, sloths, monkeys and crocodiles and sitting directly on the lake.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025
Embarking on its maiden voyage in June 2025 from the hub of Iquitos, Pure Amazon, a sleek 22-guest riverboat from luxury travel operator Abercrombie & Kent, promises views of caimans, sloths, and massive anacondas through panoramic wall-to-wall windows and immersive excursions.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sloth
Articles Related to sloth
Cite this Entry
“Sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloth. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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