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
Zoey’s deadbeat father, who left her as a baby to become a rock star, does not show up to do any sort of healing.
—
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Andres was born in Cuba to a deadbeat alcoholic who beat him, according to his attorneys.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Keery, with a dirty-blond dye job and a sweet deadbeat demeanor, might draw some Stranger Things fans, especially since the mix of ‘80s nostalgia with creeping dread, gory set-pieces, droll character banter and humor hatched out of fear land somewhere near that show’s tonal wavelength.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Andres was born in Cuba to a deadbeat alcoholic who beat him, according to his attorneys.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
The world’s biggest deadbeat has passed the begging bowl again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Keery, with a dirty-blond dye job and a sweet deadbeat demeanor, might draw some Stranger Things fans, especially since the mix of ‘80s nostalgia with creeping dread, gory set-pieces, droll character banter and humor hatched out of fear land somewhere near that show’s tonal wavelength.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for deadbeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadbeat
Noun
-
Using alliums as companion plants for celery can deter various pests, including aphids, slugs, and snails.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
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The difference is that those other three teams are getting more slug from their sluggers.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The next night, Russia fired nineteen ballistic missiles, twenty-five cruise missiles, and six hundred and fifty-nine drones.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In October 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said missiles fired by Russian air defenses to target a Ukrainian drone that exploded near the aircraft had been responsible for the jet crash.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our party waited 10 minutes to be seated and was served wine shortly thereafter, but the food came out at a snail’s pace.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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The tide pools around Haystack and elsewhere along Cannon Beach are extraordinary, with colorful sea stars, anemones, crabs, snails, coral, sponges, and sea slugs.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Actress Jodie Foster was just photographed toting the perfect hands-free carryall—sort of like a hybrid, crossbody-bag-meets-bum-bag.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
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Coach told us to be first one to the ball and to make those 50/50 plays, to do it on a bum ankle but still being able to give it my all and leave everything there for my teammates.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And typically, Wegmann added, those units are occupied by productive, working adults, not layabouts or career criminals leeching off the system, as the old narrative goes.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Mar. 2026
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In Noah Baumbach’s 2007 movie Margot at the Wedding, Jack Black’s character, a would-be painter, former musician, and general layabout named Malcolm, is accused by his fiancée of being competitive with everyone.—
Ryu Spaeth,
Vulture,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Heydude’s loafers have become an icon in the South thanks to their breathability in the heat, and these sneakers have a similar style with extra function.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
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An off-white trench and leather loafers keep the palette polished.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadbeat. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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