LAZY Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lazy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlā-zē

Definition of lazy next

as in idle

not easily aroused to action or work the lazy dog just wanted to lie on the couch all day and sleep

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careless

failing to give proper care and attention that cookbook author can be lazy about giving cooking times and temperatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lazy

2 of 2

verb

as in to bum

to spend time doing nothing a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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lazy people

unmotivated people

sluggish people

idle people

unproductive people

slothful people

lazy days

leisurely days

easygoing days

slumberous days

sleepy days

lethargic 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

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 lazy

Adjective

Hidden inside this frustrating, capricious, occasionally lazy start to the season is a significant sample size showing how good the Nuggets can be. —

Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024 The resort’s aquatic center features pools, water slides, and a lazy river for endless fun. —

Esther Carlstone, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024 The ground-level Emerald Garden Pool & Bar is a mix between Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden and Gaudí — a lagoon-like tropical pool made from vibrant green and blue mosaic tiles that curves around like a lazy river, emulating the natural pools native to Brazil’s Bonito region. —

Dalya Benor, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2024 The durable 1,000-piece jigsaw is made of thick stock and high-quality art paper engineered to withstand lazy days of leisure. —

Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lazy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lazy

Adjective

It's also been treated to a raspy but muted one-off Tolman stainless steel exhaust and an electronic engine management system to improve engine idle, detect low oil pressure and improve cold starts.

Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The woman, who was not publicly identified, was asleep on an idle F train at the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn just before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the police department said.

Doha Madani, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2024