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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadbeat
The Housing Court system allows deadbeat tenants to live rent-free for months, sometimes years, while waiting to resolve rent disputes.
—
Alva Badillo, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Meanwhile, Devon is trying to find her deadbeat sometimes lover and friend, Ray, but can’t track him down.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
More troubling was being lumped in with Trump’s growing list of deadbeats, criminals and other miscreants.
—Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Alva Badillo, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Meanwhile, Devon is trying to find her deadbeat sometimes lover and friend, Ray, but can’t track him down.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
More troubling was being lumped in with Trump’s growing list of deadbeats, criminals and other miscreants.
—Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat
Noun
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Lack of slug may end up haunting them in the postseason.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
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Place a piece of 6 x 6-inch piece of cardboard or thin plywood on the garden surface to attract slugs, then check under it every morning.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During one such strike last week, around two dozen Russian drones entered Poland -- by far the largest-ever of Russian drones into NATO airspace.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Within the last week, Russian drones were shot down in NATO airspace over Poland and Romania.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The bayous have become a popular breeding ground for intimidating apple snails from South America, which can reach 6 inches in width.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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The snail is two years old and the millipede is only a few months old.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When law enforcement showed up, Davis asked to have his hands cuffed in front of him, so as not to aggravate his bum shoulder.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
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Celebratory backslaps, encouraging bum-pats and the fall of opposition wickets celebrated en masse are often an indication of a team’s togetherness.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Dreux has entrusted Alyssa with delivering Uche’s money before the first of the month—but instead, Alyssa has asked her layabout, freeloading boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) to put the money in Uche’s hands.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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Moore’s then-husband Bruce Willis plays against-type as the abusive layabout husband of hairdresser Joyce (Glenne Headly).—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For men, chunky loafers, caps, patterned scarves, and structured satchels will polish off any look.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
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For shoes that complete any work outfit, opt for classic loafers, a shoe that Dakota Johnson, Jane Fonda, and other celebs have stepped out in recently.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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