lazy 1 of 2

lazy

2 of 2

verb

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For
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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
As a result, Earth's axis of rotation has developed a distinct wobble - known to scientists as axial precession - which sees the celestial pole trace a wide, lazy circle over a roughly 26,000 year period, coming close to several other prominent stars besides Polaris. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025 The song caused a brief diplomatic incident, as Eurovision entries often do, with some in Italy bristling at the lazy stereotypes on show. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 16 May 2025 The new destination will also be home to a central neighborhood called Splash Cove, which is set to introduce the longest lazy river in the world. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 15 May 2025 Spanning 200 acres, Perfect Day Mexico is taking the Royal Caribbean guest experience to the next level, with dozens of waterslides (including the tallest ones across North and South America), the longest lazy river in the world, miles of white sand beaches, and 12 unique dining outlets. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lazy
Adjective
  • So, out of the $403 million payroll, $93.75 million worth of pitchers are idle (not counting Ohtani).
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
  • Built for Efficiency: Save Smarter, Live Freer The Apex 300 leads the class in power efficiency, sipping just 20W in idle mode—ideal for stretching backup runtime.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Although Hill initially received two tickets for careless driving and not wearing a seat belt, they were dismissed after the officer who cited him didn’t show up to the Miami-Dade traffic hearing.
    C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • Of those fires, 90% were caused by careless human activity, the agency said.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • It is now applied to anyone who has not visited the shower trailer and is desperately trying to bum a cig.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Grant invites Dina on the one-on-one, leaving the rest of the women feeling like this: Even though they’re bummed, the women keep their comments positive.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • When Tommy leaves to bring his sleepy son home, Maria revisits her and Joel’s conversation about refugees.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 18 May 2025
  • Photos of my kid's birthday parties are no longer me with bleary, sleepy drinking eyes.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Below, a few of my favorite books about bad mothering, from the benignly neglectful to the downright evil.
    Sarah Harman, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • Speaking of the Senate: That chamber on Monday fully passed Senate Bill 20, which seeks to crack down on chronically neglectful landlords by allowing government authorities to temporarily take control of run-down apartment buildings.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Some buildings have already collapsed, while the once picturesque boating lake, where couples could dreamily laze in the summer months, today carries hidden dangers to go with Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • About 73 percent of respondents say that rangefinders capable of lazing targets beyond 1,000 yards align with fair-chase considerations and support their use in hunting.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, small, indolent prostate cancer is extremely common as men age, but rarely advances to serious disease.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Davies says that's in part because most prostate cancers found at that age are indolent: growing slowly and not causing considerable pain.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Churn the Ice Cream: Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 20-25 minutes).
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
  • Those beans are soaked overnight before being cooked and blended, placed on trays to chill for another 24 hours or so before other ingredients are added.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lazy. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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