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good-for-nothing

[good-fer-nuhth-ing, -nuhth-] / ˈgʊd fərˈnʌθ ɪŋ, -ˌnʌθ- /




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.

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"What can you do with this good-for-nothing pension? Were it not for my son helping me out I'd be unable to buy my medicine," she complained at the march in the capital, Caracas.

From Barron's Mar. 23, 2026

The 17th Mickey is a flesh photocopy of Mickey Barnes, a good-for-nothing dope desperate to flee Earth after his macaron business flops and its main investor threatens him with a chain saw.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 7, 2025

Yet later this year up to 40 healthy Australian volunteers may begin receiving infusions of the supposedly good-for-nothing molecule.

From Science Magazine Jun. 8, 2023

Appropriately enough, their sound harks back to the staccato, stuttering beats of 1990s girls bands like TLC and Destiny's Child, complete with lyrics chastising any "trifling good-for-nothing type of brother".

From BBC Dec. 8, 2022

“Auntie Rose is out traveling today, so why don’t you go stoke a fire in the hearth. Looks like those good-for-nothing cousins let it go out once more.”

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

But now Mr. Berlusconi and the good-for-nothings need each other.

From New York Times Jan. 19, 2022

November 18, 2011 1:36 AM One of the most interesting discoveries with OWS is how so many people can be convinced to lump all the protesters into the category of good-for-nothings.

From BusinessWeek Nov. 21, 2011

Americans no longer regard the impoverished as lazy good-for-nothings, but it is equally naive to categorize the poor as victims of an affluent majority.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Of all the good-for-nothings I have encountered,” shouted Cook, “surely you are the worst, the most cauliflower-eared, the good-for-nothing-est. There’s only one place left for you. The dungeon.”

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

“You two good-for-nothings are dismissed,” he said, brushing by them and stalking out of the classroom.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins




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