shiftless

adjective

shift·​less ˈshif(t)-ləs How to pronounce shiftless (audio)
Synonyms of shiftlessnext
1
: lacking in resourcefulness : inefficient
2
: lacking in ambition or incentive : lazy
shiftless freeloaders
shiftlessly adverb
shiftlessness noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of shiftless in a Sentence

shiftless spongers who never thought to do anything for themselves
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Expectations of real gains in livelihoods among China’s large, increasingly shiftless rural population will be much harder to fulfill in an era of slower growth. — Scott Rozelle and Matthew Boswell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2022 After the volunteers slink back to Paddy’s, the most shiftless person on campus will once again be Principal Coleman (Janelle James), whose ineptitude and vanity don’t prevent her from advocating for the students from time to time. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

shift (resourcefulness)

First Known Use

circa 1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shiftless was circa 1584

Browse Nearby Words

shift key
shiftless
shift lock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shiftless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shiftless. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

shiftless

adjective
shift·​less ˈshif(t)-ləs How to pronounce shiftless (audio)
: lacking in ambition : lazy
shiftlessly adverb
shiftlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shiftless

Nglish: Translation of shiftless for Spanish Speakers

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