SLOTHFUL Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slothful' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words indolent and lazy are common synonyms of slothful . While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for. // fired for being slothful about filling orders

Q: When is 'indolent' a more appropriate choice than 'slothful'?

The synonyms indolent and slothful are sometimes interchangeable, but indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity. // the heat made us indolent

Q: Where would 'lazy' be a reasonable alternative to 'slothful'?

The meanings of lazy and slothful largely overlap; however, lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble. // take-out foods for lazy cooks

slothful

adjective

ˈslȯth-fəl

Definition of slothful

as in lazy

not easily aroused to action or work his overly lax managerial style has resulted in a department that is slothful and unproductive

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How is the word slothful distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words indolent and lazy are common synonyms of slothful. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

When is indolent a more appropriate choice than slothful?

The synonyms indolent and slothful are sometimes interchangeable, but indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

Where would lazy be a reasonable alternative to slothful?

The meanings of lazy and slothful largely overlap; however, lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

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 slothful Holes left lying around for even the most slothful of AI are just begging for an easy AI escape. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 That they would be regarded as slothful morons who aren't worth the price of a ticket of admission. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2026 Soviet Russia, too, experienced periodic panics about slothful bureaucrats impeding the dictatorship of the proletariat. — Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025 Procrastination can be slothful or prudent, a vice or a virtue, depending on your habits and the tasks at hand. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2021 After releasing 12 albums in 13 months, Twin Cities guitarist Cory Wong will end his momentarily slothful ways and drop just his second album this year. — Jon Bream, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slothful

Adjective

That is not saying that her kids are terrible, lazy, ugly, addicted to TikTok, or caught shoplifting at Brandy Melville.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Music takes on a different purpose by mid-August—who isn’t feeling a little lazy and crooked by now, spiritually overserved and ready for a nap?

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of lazy

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“Slothful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slothful. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slothful

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