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

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

In addition to multiple indoor play areas, water slides, lazy rivers, and soaking tubs, most Great Wolf resorts also have an outdoor pool area and loads of dining options to satisfy even picky eaters. —

Jean Chen Smith, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 Some spread the idea that most workers were lazy and didn’t deserve higher wages — an idea that justified strong resistance to unionization, by force if necessary. —

Peter Georgescu, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Zombieland manages to turn a zombie apocalypse into an occasion for lazy hang-out comedy. —

Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 Erik Kain Another lazy January Sunday is spread out before us. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lazy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lazy

Adjective

Another revealed that million-dollar fire trucks sat idle because budget cuts had shrunk the number of mechanics available to fix them.

— Anna-Maja Rappard, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
As a result, much of Europe’s savings either sits idle in domestic banks or chases higher returns in the deeper, more liquid capital markets in the United States.

— Erik Jones, Foreign Affairs, 13 Jan. 2025