indolent

adjective

ˈin-də-lənt How to pronounce indolent (audio)
Definition of indolentnext
as in lazy
not easily aroused to action or work an indolent boy who had to be forced to help out with the chores

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word indolent distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words lazy and slothful are common synonyms of indolent. While all three words mean "not easily aroused to activity," 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 indolent?

While in some cases nearly identical to indolent, lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

When could slothful be used to replace indolent?

The words slothful and indolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 indolent Possibly a deepening and widening of populist politics, as both the far right and the far left win over more of the allegedly indolent youth. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 Every journey with indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is unique, but my journey with ISM has been especially unique. — Shannon Dingey, Health, 1 July 2026 The weather was springtime perfect and we were lulled by the splash of water and feeling indolent from a good meal and more than a few glasses of wine. — Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for indolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indolent
  1. lazy
  2. idle
Adjective
  • People get lazy, reusing passwords or pseudonyms or crypto wallets.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the lazy days of summer fade and little ones return to school, autumn invites an air of academia.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • There are no staffing meetings, no waiting for someone to become available and no work sitting idle because the right person is on vacation or buried under a backlog of deliverables.
    — Charles Lew, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This results in more empty containers sitting idle on chassis throughout the ports.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of idle

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Indolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indolent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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