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Dictionary.com

asleep on the job

ADJECTIVE
forgetful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
careless distracted inattentive sloppy
STRONG
unmindful
WEAK
absent absent-minded abstracted airheaded amnemonic amnesic bemused dreamy heedless lax like an absent-minded professor looking out window mooning moony neglectful negligent nirvanic not on the job oblivious out of it out to lunch pipe dreaming preoccupied remiss slack unwitting woolgathering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attentive
WEAK
mindful recalling remembering retentive
ADJECTIVE
lazy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic careless dull inattentive indifferent lackadaisical lethargic passive sleepy tired weary
WEAK
comatose dallying dilatory drowsy flagging idle indolent inert laggard lagging languid languorous lifeless loafing neglectful out of it procrastinating remiss shiftless slack slothful slow slow-moving snoozy somnolent supine tardy torpid trifling unconcerned unenergetic unindustrious unpersevering unready
Antonyms
STRONGEST
activated active attentive careful caring concerned energetic fresh interested lively vivacious
WEAK
diligent hard-working industrious
ADJECTIVE
off-guard
Synonyms
WEAK
asleep daydreaming flat-footed inattentive napping spaced out unalert unready unsuspecting unvigilant unwatchful zoned out
ADJECTIVE
slack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lackadaisical lax lethargic permissive sluggish stagnant
STRONG
delinquent derelict dull idle quiet slow
WEAK
behindhand careless dilatory disregardful dormant easygoing faineant fainéant inactive inattentive indolent inert neglectful not busy quiescent regardless remiss slothful slow-moving tardy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
active energetic lively strict
STRONG
busy careful intelligent quick smart
WEAK
alert disciplined rigid stiff taut tight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s stressful enough without a CPA asleep on the job.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Reactions to sleeping on the job ranged from sympathy with the pilots' work schedule to shock that they fell asleep on the job.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2022

Other guards were asleep on the job or missing from their posts.

From Washington Post • Feb. 7, 2020

Even if I literally fell asleep on the job, it would ensure that our feeds—each with more than 1 million subscribers—were still full of content.

From Slate • Oct. 27, 2015

We're a passel of mollycoddles, asleep on the job.

From Cappy Ricks Retires by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)