: 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
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
No matter what urgent projects benefiting riders have to be stopped, there will always be enough funds to pay the lazy, do-nothing, unionized MTA employees who continue to get increases and outrageous retirement benefits while doing less and less.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024
Will a do-nothing Congress? Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
There was Bhanu, the simpering do-nothing who was eventually put out of his misery but shouldn’t have been cast in the first place.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Noun
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
No matter what urgent projects benefiting riders have to be stopped, there will always be enough funds to pay the lazy, do-nothing, unionized MTA employees who continue to get increases and outrageous retirement benefits while doing less and less.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024
Will a do-nothing Congress? Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2024
There was Bhanu, the simpering do-nothing who was eventually put out of his misery but shouldn’t have been cast in the first place.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'do-nothing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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