DEADBEAT Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

deadbeat

noun

ˈded-ˌbēt

Definition of deadbeat

as in slug

a lazy person he snapped instructions to the deadbeats who were standing around watching the work pile up

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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 deadbeat Andres was born in Cuba to a deadbeat alcoholic who beat him, according to his attorneys. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025 As half owner of that house, you are entitled to live in it without being berated by a deadbeat. — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2025 As half-owner of that house, you are entitled to live in it without being berated by a deadbeat. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2025 The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadbeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat

Noun

Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.

— Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
If your garden has been beset by destructive crawling insects like ants, beetles, and slugs, pesticides often seem like the clear solution.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of slug

Noun

Titan’s nitrogen-rich atmosphere is four times denser than Earth’s, allowing the car-sized Dragonfly drone’s eight rotors to easily fly between promising landing sites every Titan day (16 Earth days) to collect and study samples.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Its drone technology has impressed governments and defense manufacturers around the world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of drone

Noun

Insects belong to the kingdom Animalia, along with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, octopuses, snails, jellyfish, worms, and many other groups.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Chicks, in particular, eat large quantities of high-protein insect larvae, beetles, flies, snails, spiders and ants.

— Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of snail

Noun

Marlon's Shorty Meeks is in his 25th year of high school, but has made millions as a layabout live-streamer.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
When layabout postman Jesper gets assigned to the frozen town of Smeerensburg with an ultimatum to process 6,000 letters, a reclusive toymaker might be his only hope.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026

Definition of layabout

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dead

deadbeat

deadbeats

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“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadbeat

noun

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