LOAF Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'loaf' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loaf are idle , laze , loll , and lounge . While all these words mean "to spend time doing nothing," loaf suggests either resting or wandering about as though there were nothing to do. // she does her work and then loafs the rest of the day

Q: When is 'idle' a more appropriate choice than 'loaf'?

The words idle and loaf can be used in similar contexts, but idle may be used in reference to persons that move lazily or without purpose. // idled the day away

Q: Where would 'laze' be a reasonable alternative to 'loaf'?

Although the words laze and loaf have much in common, laze usually implies the relaxation of a busy person enjoying a vacation or moments of leisure. // lazed about between appointments

Q: When can 'loll' be used instead of 'loaf'?

The words loll and loaf are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loll also carries an implication of a posture similar to that of lounge , but places greater stress upon an indolent or relaxed attitude. // lolling on the couch

Q: When could 'lounge' be used to replace 'loaf'?

The meanings of lounge and loaf largely overlap; however, lounge , though occasionally used as equal to idle or loaf , typically conveys an additional implication of resting or reclining against a support or of physical comfort and ease in relaxation. // he lounged against the wall

loaf 1 of 2

verb

Definition of loaf

as in to bum

to spend time doing nothing the kind of sultry August afternoon that makes you just want to loaf

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loaf

2 of 2

noun

British slang

as in skull

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb loaf differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loaf are idle, laze, loll, and lounge. While all these words mean "to spend time doing nothing," loaf suggests either resting or wandering about as though there were nothing to do.

she does her work and then loafs the rest of the day

When is idle a more appropriate choice than loaf?

The words idle and loaf can be used in similar contexts, but idle may be used in reference to persons that move lazily or without purpose.

idled the day away

Where would laze be a reasonable alternative to loaf?

Although the words laze and loaf have much in common, laze usually implies the relaxation of a busy person enjoying a vacation or moments of leisure.

lazed about between appointments

When can loll be used instead of loaf?

The words loll and loaf are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loll also carries an implication of a posture similar to that of lounge, but places greater stress upon an indolent or relaxed attitude.

lolling on the couch

When could lounge be used to replace loaf?

The meanings of lounge and loaf largely overlap; however, lounge, though occasionally used as equal to idle or loaf, typically conveys an additional implication of resting or reclining against a support or of physical comfort and ease in relaxation.

he lounged against the wall

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 loaf

Verb

She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned. — Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Oct. 2025 Martin removed his right fielder for loafing on a ball hit to the outfield. — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

Noun

To help mitigate this, take the bucket out of the machine, remove the bread from the bucket, then place the loaf back in the machine (leaving the bucket out). — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026 In the end, the loaf either rises or not, and no number of speeches will change the oven temperature. — Rohan Pinto, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loaf

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loaf

Verb

My conversation partner returned, somehow unable to bum even a single cigarette from anyone at this party.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 July 2026
I'mPhaedra Trethan, bummed out to hear one of my favorite baseball announcers has been let go in a round of ESPN layoffs.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of bum

Noun

The researchers found that London taxi drivers had measurably more gray matter in the posterior hippocampus, a brain area tied to storing large-scale spatial maps.

— Hatim Sharif, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Research shows that drops in hormones actually shrink the volume of gray matter in a woman’s hippocampus and frontal and temporal cortices, which are key for memory and executive function.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 July 2026

Definition of gray matter

Noun

But instead of making personal expertise the bottleneck through which every decision must pass, the leader creates a structure in which collective intelligence can emerge.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Ad spending on linear late-night shows is clearly continuing to fall; ad intelligence agency Guideline noted that spend went from $439M in 2018 to $221M in 2024.

— Peter White, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of intelligence

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load up on

loaf

loafed

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“Loaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loaf. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of loaf

verb

noun

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