GOOD-FOR-NOTHING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

good-for-nothing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgu̇d-fər-ˌnə-thiŋ

Definition of good-for-nothing

as in lazy

having no ambition, success, or value to society refused to leave anything in his will to his good-for-nothing grandchildren

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

good-for-nothing

2 of 2

noun

as in bum

an idle worthless person teacher after teacher had predicted that he would never be more than a good-for-nothing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of good-for-nothing

Adjective

With Jun-hyeon trapped in a coma inside of Yong-ho’s older body, Yong-ho goes about seeking revenge on his good-for-nothing children, and ensuring the future of the Choiseong Group. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026 The black comedy crime film is written by Niki Sheldrake and tells the story of Colin and Stanley, two good-for-nothing brothers who are faced with the repayment of their dead father’s debt to a notorious loan shark named Maggie. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2024 Yet later this year up to 40 healthy Australian volunteers may begin receiving infusions of the supposedly good-for-nothing molecule. — Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 June 2023 In the film, directed by Taika Waititi, Hela comes back to Asgard seeking revenge and looking to kick everybody's ass, starting with her good-for-nothing brothers Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor (Hemsworth). — Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-for-nothing

Adjective

Not because trainers are lazy, but because output feels controllable.

— Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of lazy

Noun

Zellers poured the foundation, and Morrison hired fellow ski bums to do the framing, masonry, and tiling.

— Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Carl Sandburg’s 1927 American Songbag featured a whole section of hobo songs presenting the bum as a beau ideal.

— Caroline Fraser, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of bum

Adjective

But there is an enormous difference between asking your allies to shoulder more responsibility and telling them that your promise to defend them might be worthless.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Mild unease gave way to statements about being worthless, unloved, and a failure.

— Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

The question now is how the Giants can make the most of a bad, no-good situation.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
And with nary a golfer from the upstart tour within eight strokes of Round 2 leader Wyndham Clark at 7 under par, LIV’s no-good, very bad 2026 continued Friday.

— Matt Schubert, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Definition of no-good

Noun

That deal includes handbags, fashion backpacks, hobos, totes, crossbody bags, sling bags, satchels, duffel bags and boot bags, along with belts, wallets, wristlets, passport cases and key chains.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Carl Sandburg’s 1927 American Songbag featured a whole section of hobo songs presenting the bum as a beau ideal.

— Caroline Fraser, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of hobo

Adjective

Among the biggest changes in the country have to do with changes to corporate governance, including the encouragement of companies to eliminate idle cash and focus more on shareholder returns, that's meant to support growth.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Supply-chain congestion sometimes causes freight trains to sit idle, leaving them vulnerable to thieves in urban rail yards.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of idle

Browse Nearby Words

good-fellowship

good-for-nothing

good-for-nothings

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Style

“Good-for-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-for-nothing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of good-for-nothing

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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