WordValeindolent
lazy; avoiding effort
In more detail
1. (adjective) lazy and unwilling to work or make effort
2. (adjective) moving slowly or progressing without urgency
Examples
- 1. His indolent attitude meant he rarely finished his assignments on time.
- 2. The indolent pace of the negotiations frustrated everyone involved.
How to use indolent
Indolent is a more formal and literary term than lazy, often carrying a tone of mild disapproval or weariness about someone's lack of effort or slow progress. It suggests a habitual unwillingness to exert oneself rather than a temporary lack of motivation, and frequently appears in descriptive or evaluative contexts. The word can apply both to people and to abstract things like processes or lifestyles.
Common phrases
- indolent lifestyle
- indolent nature
- indolent pace
- indolent attitude
- indolent temperament
- grow indolent
Synonyms
lazy · idle · sluggish · apathetic · lethargic
Opposites
diligent · industrious · energetic
Word family
indolence (noun) · indolently (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use indolent to describe someone who is simply tired or momentarily inactive, when it actually refers to a more entrenched pattern of laziness or reluctance to work.
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