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

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 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 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

Slicking back your hair with a perfect part brings this lazy day look to the next level.

— Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 8 July 2026
Some claimed that Buddhists, like Asians generally, were passive and lazy, and that their religious rites reflected a dull, monotonous approach to life.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 July 2026

Definition of lazy

Noun

Sometimes there is a fine line between being a hero or a bum, but Dave has been able to negotiate that line, because players trust him, and the players know that Dave cares about them and their families.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Designed with a plunging neckline, modest bum coverage, and compressive fabric with UPF 50 sun protection, the elegant silhouette offers rich-girl vacation energy that could easily double as a bodysuit with shorts.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 20 June 2026

Definition of bum

Adjective

Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.

— Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Bitcoin is either digital gold or worthless.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of worthless

Noun

Gobert was chief among the beggars imploring his teammates for a shred of consistency on that end of the floor.

— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
So disguised as a beggar, Odysseus shows up at his palace, and he is not treated very nicely by the suitors who have camped out in his house.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Definition of beggar

Adjective

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
With Ethan Hawke's newbie simmering against the go-for-broke finesse of Denzel Washington's very bad, no-good officer, Training Day revels in tension, with washes of blue and green augmenting scenes where Hawke is bullied into getting high.

— Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

Definition of no-good

Noun

Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Schneider plays David, a reticent young man with the soulful-hobo air of a Beat poet, who makes a living as an events photographer but whose private passion is a secretive lifelong project, inherited from his father, documenting the changing Parisian suburbs.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 May 2026

Definition of hobo

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good-fellowship

good-for-nothing

good-for-nothings

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“Good-for-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-for-nothing. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of good-for-nothing

adjective

noun

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