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 Screenings in healthy adults are also more likely to catch indolent disease, meaning slow-growing or static conditions, than aggressive ones. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026 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
  • Composed of 160 photographs taken across the past seven decades by 118 photographers, the show suggests the jobs, romances, family life, and lazy afternoons that could have been his.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • However, GitHub’s measures don’t require users to revoke any credentials left exposed in a repo, and some developers continue hard-coding, even though it’s considered both lazy development and exceptionally poor security.
    — Alex Colon, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • When haul trucks sit idle waiting to recharge, every minute of lost production directly erodes operating margins.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • His friends—these would have been the idle ladies of Moscow society, Countess Khomyakova and Princess Tuchkova and Countess Orlova and others in their circle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of idle

Browse Nearby Words

indolence
indolent
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Cite this Entry

“Indolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indolent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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