indolence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'indolence' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means laziness or a tendency to avoid work or exertion. It can also refer to a state of being inactive or sluggish. Example: His indolence has caused him to fall behind on his tasks at work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And charges of indolence can be overdone: his opposition to the Iraq war in the Commons took real personal courage.

The Guardian

This legislative indolence is a shocking case study of what complacent ignorance can do to a democracy, and we are now living with the consequences of it.

The Guardian - Tech

The British are now more in love with Italy than the Italians are: they appreciate the food, the language, the tastes, the gestures of the people, the Tuscan landscape, the climate that renders indolence a little bit inevitable.

The Guardian

Wealthy people already pass on a lot of advantages to their children; they can afford better education, and a better environment at home (more books, quiet places to study etc).History, as well as fiction, suggests that being born to inherited wealth is not normally a spur to greater effort; instead, life is devoted to social display or indolence.

The Economist

Among African medics a stigma attaches to morphine, which is considered addictive and likely to lead to indolence.

The Economist

Always prone to indolence, Mr Kibaki seems periodically befuddled because of his recent strokes.

The Economist

What you call "befuddled" is the president's gentlemanly mystique; his intellectual and reflective approach to issues you interpret as "prone to indolence".

The Economist

Some visitors, such as Dante, Montaigne, Byron, Zola and Garibaldi, were overwhelmed by the atmosphere of indolence and torpor, the malign, fetid air of the Tiber and the Pontine Marshes, and the mal'aria, which every summer brought in its wake an epidemic of deadly fever.

The Economist

Two years of placid bickering and legislative indolence await.

The Economist

If these numbers seem ample, they include everyone, from drivers to secretaries; and never forget the Indian bureaucrat's genius for indolence and paper-pushing.Yet the agencies are growing more effective.

The Economist

The best way for magistrates to render clergy as harmless as possible was, and still is, to "bribe their indolence".Andrew Sabl Associate professor of public policy and political science University of California, Los Angeles Los AngelesSIR – You were right to note that the "sense of belonging to a family with a shared inheritance" in Anglicanism has waned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indolence" when you want to convey a habitual disinclination to exertion. It is more formal than "laziness" and carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a moral failing or a deliberate choice to avoid work.

Common error

Avoid using "indolence" when simply describing a period of rest or recreation. "Indolence" implies a negative judgment about someone's habitual avoidance of work, whereas relaxation is a temporary and often necessary break from activity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "indolence" functions primarily as a subject or object within a sentence, describing a state, quality, or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a noun indicating laziness or avoidance of work. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns or being the subject of verbs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indolence" is a noun signifying habitual laziness or a disinclination to exertion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness. Its formality lends itself to news, encyclopedic, and scientific writing, as evidenced by the prevalence of examples from sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica. When using "indolence", be mindful of its negative connotation, distinguishing it from mere relaxation. Consider alternative terms like "laziness" or "apathy depending on the intended nuance". Its precise use enriches communication, avoiding misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laziness

Direct synonym, indicating a general unwillingness to work or exert oneself.

sloth

Similar to laziness, but often implies moral failing or condemnation.

idleness

Focuses on the state of being unemployed or not actively engaged in tasks.

lethargy

Emphasizes a lack of energy and enthusiasm, often due to fatigue or illness.

apathy

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, leading to inaction.

listlessness

Describes a lack of energy and enthusiasm to do anything.

inertia

Highlights a resistance to change or activity, preferring to remain static.

lack of motivation

Explains indolence by highlighting the absence of drive or ambition.

torpor

A state of inactivity characterized by insensitivity.

passivity

Involves acceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "indolence" in a sentence?

"Indolence" is typically used to describe a person's character or a general state of inactivity. For example: "His "indolence" led to the failure of the project", or "The hot weather encouraged a general state of "indolence"".

What are some synonyms for "indolence"?

Alternatives to "indolence" include "laziness", "sloth", "apathy", and "lethargy depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey".

Is "indolence" a formal or informal word?

"Indolence" is considered a more formal term than "laziness". It's suitable for academic, professional, or literary contexts, but might sound overly sophisticated in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "indolence" and "apathy"?

"Indolence" refers specifically to a disinclination to work or exert oneself physically, whereas "apathy describes a lack of interest or concern, which can lead to inaction but isn't necessarily about avoiding physical work".