quiet quitter
noun
plural quiet quitters
: someone who does the minimum amount of work required for a job : someone who engages in quiet quitting
Many quiet quitters fit Gallup's definition of being "not engaged" at work—people who do the minimum required and are psychologically detached from their job.—
Jim Harter
Jim HarterQuiet quitters continue to fulfill their primary responsibilities, but they're less willing to engage in activities known as citizenship behaviors: no more staying late, showing up early, or attending non-mandatory meetings.—Anthony C. Klotz and Mark C. Bolino
Anthony C. Klotz and Mark C. BolinoQuiet quitters no longer strive for praise and promotions, choosing to do the bare minimum at work instead.—Hermione Taylor
Hermione TaylorIn all businesses, some people have always been quiet quitters. You know, the ones who always used to hang out at the water coolers when those were a thing; the bored colleagues who sleep with their eyes open in meetings; and, of course, the endless gossips who are up to date on who's dating whom, but clueless about their jobs.—Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Steven J. Vaughan-NicholsExamples of quiet quitter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While Gallup research reveals that quiet quitters make up at least 50% of the U.S. workforce, there’s another troubling trend emerging—managers who have disengaged from their leadership responsibilities.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Those who are quiet cracking aren’t consciously reducing effort à la quiet quitters, but are disengaged internally.
—The Hill, 9 May 2025
Think of them as the original quiet quitters, gliding along in neutral, unwilling to put the car in gear.
—Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
Quiet quitting is easy to identify; employees who are quiet quitters visibly reduce their effort and avoid going the extra mile.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
What about the early-retirement wave, or America’s army of quiet quitters?
—Ben Casselman, New York Times, 19 July 2023
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Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Those who are quiet cracking aren’t consciously reducing effort à la quiet quitters, but are disengaged internally.
—The Hill, 9 May 2025
Think of them as the original quiet quitters, gliding along in neutral, unwilling to put the car in gear.
—Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
Quiet quitting is easy to identify; employees who are quiet quitters visibly reduce their effort and avoid going the extra mile.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
What about the early-retirement wave, or America’s army of quiet quitters?
—Ben Casselman, New York Times, 19 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Quiet quitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quiet%20quitter. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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