do-nothing
Shiftless, inactive person
Do-nothing describes someone who avoids work or action, or something designed to have no effect.
As a noun, a do-nothing is a lazy or ineffectual person: Congress is full of do-nothings.
As an adjective, it characterizes inaction: a do-nothing legislature, a do-nothing approach to the crisis.
The term is almost always disparaging.
Without activity or purpose
- slothfulHabitually avoiding exertion
- indolentHabitually avoiding exertion
- sluggishSlow and inactive
- lethargicLacking energy or alertness
torpid · listless · languid · loafing · lounging · dawdling · lolling · drifting
Idle responsibility evader
- layaboutHabitually idle person
- lazybonesHabitually idle person
- loaferLaceless slip-on shoe
- idlerHabitually unproductive person
bum · deadbeat · ne'er-do-well · couch potato · slugabed · shirker · goldbricker · dosser
Lacking power to achieve
- obstructionistOne who deliberately hinders
- gridlockedImmobilized by congestion
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
unresponsive · toothless · lame-duck · rubber-stamp · placeholder · figurehead · nominal · token
Lacking interest or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unconcernedFeeling no worry
- disengagedNot participating or invested
- passiveNot actively participating
unresponsive · nonchalant · blasé · disinterested · unmoved · unbothered · complacent · insouciant
Without practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- futileIncapable of producing results
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- pointlessLacking any purpose
worthless · unavailing · unprofitable · unrewarding · purposeless · unfruitful · barren · sterile
Causing later occurrence
- postponingRescheduling for later
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- deferringPostponing or yielding respectfully
- hesitatingPausing with doubt
foot-dragging · temporizing · dilly-dallying · dragging feet · putting off · avoiding · evading · dodging
idle
Without activity or purpose
lethargic · torpid · listless · languid · loafing · lounging · dawdling · lolling · drifting · pottering
slacker
Idle responsibility evader
idler · bum · deadbeat · ne'er-do-well · couch potato · slugabed · shirker · goldbricker · dosser · wastrel
ineffective
Lacking power to achieve
- obstructionistOne who deliberately hinders
- gridlockedImmobilized by congestion
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
paralyzed · unresponsive · toothless · lame-duck · rubber-stamp · placeholder · figurehead · nominal · token · ceremonial
indifferent
Lacking interest or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unconcernedFeeling no worry
- disengagedNot participating or invested
passive · unresponsive · nonchalant · blasé · disinterested · unmoved · unbothered · complacent · insouciant · aloof
useless
Without practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- futileIncapable of producing results
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
pointless · worthless · unavailing · unprofitable · unrewarding · purposeless · unfruitful · barren · sterile · vain
delaying
Causing later occurrence
- postponingRescheduling for later
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- deferringPostponing or yielding respectfully
hesitating · foot-dragging · temporizing · dilly-dallying · dragging feet · putting off · avoiding · evading · dodging · sidestepping
do-nothinggo-getter
Ambitious, driven person
self-starter · doer · hustler · dynamo · busy bee
do-nothingachiever
One who accomplishes goals
high-flyer · highflier · overachiever · powerhouse · high achiever
do-nothingresponsible
Obligated to answer for actions
dependable · reliable · conscientious · dutiful · diligent