slothful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slothful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is lazy or inactive, often in a negative context. Example: "His slothful attitude towards his studies resulted in poor grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the meantime, I encourage you to conduct your own research in Costa Rica, exploring those magnificent beaches or admiring those slothful sloths.

The New York Times

Maybe Costa Rican contentment has something to do with the chance to explore dazzling beaches on both sides of the country, when one isn't admiring the sloths in the jungle (sloths truly are slothful, I discovered; they are the tortoises of the trees).

The New York Times

But then the whole point of evenings on holiday is that you just sit outside in a fabulously slothful way, lounging around the table for hours after you've finished eating, without having to jump up to pack PE bags or deal with work emails, so you don't have to worry about whether you're going to trip over on the stairs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Malta wins the race for the most slothful nation, with 72% of adults getting too little exercise.

The Economist

Mr Latimer settles scores with people no one has heard of, such as the allegedly slothful press office at the Pentagon.No one cares about Mr Latimer's grudges, but many are intrigued by the rude things he says he heard the president say.

The Economist

They would do better to throw their millions into the sea than to use them to encourage the slothful and the drunken.

The Economist

In the forests of eastern Congo, Che Guevara spent months trying politely to rouse the slothful Simba guerrillas into action, but succeeded only in contracting malaria.

The Economist

The commission recently circulated a confidential study exalting the competitiveness of the German economy—something that probably amused the average Mittelstand manager struggling with a payroll where non-wage costs can be three times as high as those of his American competitor.What might have beenHow much damage is the slothful pace of political change really doing to European business?

The Economist

And the bickering, slothful Congress seemed likely to pass some important legislation quickly.Perhaps one should not be too surprised.

The Economist

As a foundation for its rise, China pursued a vigorous "smile diplomacy" towards its neighbours that stands in contrast to slothful Indian energies.

The Economist

Attacks on welfare handouts earned much applause, a message reinforced by a giant video screen showing quotations from the scriptures, among them: "The hand of the diligent shall rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labour .But even at such an event, tensions and divisions about political strategy and messaging could be clearly heard.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slothful" to add a slightly more formal or literary tone than simply using "lazy". Consider your audience and the desired level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "slothful" when you simply mean something is happening at a slow pace. "Slothful" implies a moral judgment about a lack of effort, not just a lack of speed. For instance, use "slow progress", not "slothful progress", unless you want to criticize someone's deliberate inaction.

Linguistic Context

The word "slothful" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns, indicating that they possess the quality of being lazy, inactive, or sluggish. Ludwig AI shows the usage examples provide context, highlighting how "slothful" modifies entities like "nation", "Congress" or even "sloths" themselves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slothful" is an adjective used to describe someone or something as lazy, inactive, or sluggish, often with a negative connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently, mainly in News & Media contexts. While it's a strong synonym for "lazy" or "indolent", it carries a slightly more formal tone. Avoid using "slothful" simply to describe something as slow; reserve it for situations where you want to express disapproval of a lack of effort. Remember that "slothful" characterizes deliberate inaction, not just a slow pace. Therefore, keep in mind that the alternative "sluggish" is far less pejorative or disapproving, but rather closer to "slowed down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lazy

This is the most direct and common synonym, implying an unwillingness to work or exert oneself.

indolent

This suggests a disposition to avoid exertion, often implying a pleasurable idleness.

lethargic

This implies a state of weariness or reduced vitality, leading to inactivity.

torpid

This suggests a state of inactivity, often associated with hibernation or dormancy.

idle

This indicates a lack of purpose or activity, often suggesting a waste of time.

inactive

This simply means not active, without necessarily implying a negative connotation.

sluggish

This suggests a slow or lacking energy, either physically or mentally.

negligent

This implies a failure to take proper care or attention, leading to inactivity in a specific area.

remiss

Similar to negligent, this suggests a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility due to carelessness or laziness.

lackadaisical

This suggests a careless or half-hearted approach, stemming from a lack of interest or motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "slothful" in a sentence?

You can use "slothful" to describe someone or something that is lazy, inactive, or sluggish. For example, "The "slothful bureaucracy" hindered the project's progress."

What's a more common synonym for "slothful"?

A more common synonym for "slothful" is "lazy". While both words describe a lack of activity, "slothful" often carries a stronger connotation of moral disapproval.

Is "slothful" a formal or informal word?

"Slothful" is considered more formal than words like "lazy" or "idle". It's often found in writing and speeches where a more sophisticated vocabulary is appropriate. The opposite of "slothful" is "diligent".

What is the difference between "slothful" and "sluggish"?

"Slothful" implies a deliberate unwillingness to exert effort, suggesting a character flaw or moral failing. "Sluggish", on the other hand, implies a lack of energy or vitality, often due to fatigue, illness, or other external factors. You may feel "sluggish" in the morning but only be "slothful" if you make no effort to overcome that.