1 indolence | Definition of indolence

indolence

noun
in·​do·​lence | \ ˈin-dÉ™-lÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce indolence (audio) \

Definition of indolence

: inclination to laziness : sloth

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Synonyms & Antonyms for indolence

Synonyms

idleness, inertia, laziness, shiftlessness, sloth

Antonyms

drive, industriousness, industry

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Examples of indolence in a Sentence

a general feeling of indolence usually overtakes them during summer vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

Often, white privilege is rooted in a state of aloofness, disconnection, no sense of consequence, and the indolence of sitting behind ignorance — the choice not to understand. Arizona Republic, azcentral, "Viewpoint: Sports, and our communities at large, need more Chris Longs — people who "get it"," 26 June 2019 Plush custom mattresses and deep soaking tubs lead to indulgent indolence after drinks or dining at several pricey but exquisite venues. Jeanne Cooper, SFChronicle.com, "Suite Spot: Four Seasons emerges refreshed after Santa Barbara fires," 11 June 2018 More broadly, the lazy river is a sign of American indolence, of our collective postindustrial lassitude, the nation that once tamed the Mississippi now slumbering poolside, scrolling through Instagram. Alexander Nazaryan, Newsweek, "What Is College Good For? Absolutely Nothing, Say Republicans (and Some Democrats)," 1 Feb. 2018 Through sloth the roof sinks in and through indolence, the house leaks. Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "Judgement and Epiphany on Pittsburgh’s Number 79 Bus," 11 May 2018 And with the real estate stakes so high — the median sale price of a home on the lower peninsula was over $850,000 in January — whimsy, experimentation and indolence seem to struggle for a foothold. New York Times, "In Charleston, Beer Gets Its Own Neighborhood," 25 Apr. 2018 Another woman worried about her husband’s indolence in the early months of retirement. David Ekerdt, WSJ, "In Defense of the Not-So-Busy Retirement," 22 Apr. 2018 The Supreme Court is obliged to act because of the indolence of the executive, say the judge’s supporters. The Economist, "Pakistan’s top court is eager to take on any brief," 28 Mar. 2018 There's negligence, errors, indolence, even a lack of conscience among the drivers. Nora Gámez Torres, miamiherald, "Drivers are more likely to die in a car crash in Cuba than in Florida | Miami Herald," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indolence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of indolence

1710, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for indolence

indolence

noun
in·​do·​lence | \ ˈin-dÉ™-lÉ™ns How to pronounce indolence (audio) \

Kids Definition of indolence

: the quality of being lazy

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More from Merriam-Webster on indolence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for indolence

Spanish Central: Translation of indolence

Nglish: Translation of indolence for Spanish Speakers