1
as in slug
a lazy person
the new boss quickly figured out who the do-nothings were and fired them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bum
an idle worthless person
he indiscriminately dismisses the state legislators as a bunch of do-nothings who live at the taxpayers' expense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 do-nothing
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for do-nothing
Noun
-
Keeping Away Pests The alluring smell of a fresh cup of joe does not have the same effect on insects and pests like snails and slugs.Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024
-
Brown has few other options to upgrade a lineup searching for slug.Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
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
Noun
-
World & Nation Israel and Lebanon agree to cease-fire Nov. 26, 2024 An Associated Press reporter in northern Israel near the border heard Israeli drones buzzing overhead and the sound of artillery strikes from the Lebanese side.Kareem Chehayeb and Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
-
The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, reported downing 27 Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions, as well as occupied Crimea.David Brennan, ABC News, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The incredible snail mucin product is made to depuff your eyes, moisturize that tender skin, and help fight against those fine lines that settle in.Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Honda still needs to get the power to drive that snail from somewhere – this bike will need a substantially higher energy output from its alternator, and probably a larger battery, to run this compressor.New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The Season 4, Part 1 finale contains one whopper of a revelation: JJ’s deadbeat father, Luke, isn’t his real dad.Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 Oct. 2024
-
After a strange meteor crash lands in his backyard and turns his deadbeat father into a brain-eating zombie, Bucky and his friends seize the opportunity to create the ultimate horror flick, starring his undead dad.Patrick Frater, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024
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
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
Noun
-
However, rumors that the derelict mansion in the video was Jordan’s have since been debunked.Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024
-
Maine’s housing stock skews old, with high rates of derelict and seasonally vacant properties.Donovan Lynch, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near do-nothing
Cite this Entry
“Do-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-nothing. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share