indolent
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for indolent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Avoiding effort or activity; lazy in a relaxed, unhurried way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use indolent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
indolent lifestyle
indolent afternoon
indolent manner
indolent lymphoma
Literary and slightly softer than 'lazy'; it can even sound admiring when describing a pleasant, slow day.
Etymology
From Latin indolentia 'freedom from pain', from in- 'not' plus dolere 'to feel pain'; the sense of laziness developed from the idea of taking no trouble.
Full origin of indolent →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between indolent and insolent?
Indolent means lazy and unwilling to exert yourself. Insolent means rude and disrespectful to someone in authority. The words look similar but come from different Latin roots.
Is indolent an insult?
It can be, but it is gentler than 'lazy' and often carries a hint of leisure or luxury. Describing an indolent summer day is not a criticism at all.
What does an indolent tumour mean?
In medicine it describes a growth that develops slowly and produces few symptoms. Doctors sometimes monitor an indolent cancer instead of treating it immediately.
